CMA CGM tracking

Maritime transport and global logistics since 1978

CMA CGM (Compagnie Maritime d'Affrètement - Compagnie Générale Maritime) is one of the world's leading maritime transport and logistics companies, based in Marseille, France. Founded in 1978 by Jacques Saadé, the group started with a single shipping line connecting Marseille to Beirut. Over the decades, CMA CGM has grown significantly to become a major player in international container trade. The company now operates on all continents, offering freight transport solutions by sea, land, air, and integrated logistics.

The history of CMA CGM is marked by phases of expansion and strategic mergers. Jacques Saadé created the Compagnie Maritime d'Affrètement (CMA) in 1978 with only a few employees and an initial container service between the Mediterranean and the Middle East. At the same time, the Compagnie Générale Maritime (CGM), resulting from the merger of former national companies in the mid-20th century, operated under the supervision of the French state. In 1996, CMA acquired CGM and gave birth to the unified CMA CGM group, laying the foundations for a new leading French player in maritime transport. This merger allowed the combination of CMA's entrepreneurial agility with CGM's heritage and network, accelerating the international growth of the whole. In the following years, CMA CGM continued its expansion through the acquisition of several companies and strategic assets. In 1998, the group integrated the Australian shipping company ANL, expanding its presence in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2005, it acquired the company Delmas, strengthening its position on routes to Africa. External growth continued in 2016 with the acquisition of Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), the parent company of the Singaporean company APL, consolidating CMA CGM's presence on transpacific traffic. In 2019, the group made a major foray into logistics by acquiring CEVA Logistics, one of the world's logistics leaders, thus integrating warehousing, air freight, and supply chain management services into its offering. These successive expansions have propelled CMA CGM among the world's largest maritime carriers. Today, CMA CGM remains a family business led by the Saadé family, while having reached a global scale. Founder Jacques Saadé remained at the helm of the company until his death in 2018, after which his son Rodolphe Saadé took over the reins of the group. Under this leadership, CMA CGM has continued to innovate and invest, notably in next-generation ships and digital technologies, to consolidate its leadership position.

Company structure and management

CMA CGM is organized as an international group with its headquarters located in the CMA CGM tower in Marseille, a 147-meter skyscraper symbolizing the group's presence in the Phocaean city. The company is private and majority-controlled by the founding family. At its head, Rodolphe Saadé assumes the roles of chairman and CEO, continuing the strategic vision initiated by his father. The group employs more than 110,000 people worldwide (including logistics subsidiaries), distributed between its headquarters, regional offices, and a vast network of local agencies. CMA CGM relies on a global network of agencies and subsidiaries in more than 160 countries to manage commercial operations and customer service as close to the ground as possible. This decentralized organization, piloted from France, allows for the efficient coordination of goods movement on a global scale while adapting to the local specifics of each market. Internally, the group is structured by business units corresponding to its main areas of intervention. These entities encompass container maritime transport, contract logistics, air freight transport, as well as port terminal management, among others. Each unit has dedicated teams and resources, while closely collaborating to offer clients an integrated service.

Specialized business areas

To cover the entire transport chain and meet the varied needs of its clientele, CMA CGM operates through several specialized operational units:

• Container maritime transport: This is the group's historical core business. CMA CGM operates a modern fleet of container ships to ensure regular connections between major ports around the globe. These ships transport standardized containers (20 feet, 40 feet, etc.) containing all kinds of goods, from raw materials to manufactured products. CMA CGM's maritime network covers Asia-Europe, transpacific, transatlantic, intra-Asian, Africa, South America lines, etc., thus connecting the world's major economies.
• Logistics and supply chain: Through its subsidiary CEVA Logistics and other entities, CMA CGM offers comprehensive logistics services. This includes warehouse management, organization of land transport (road and rail), customs brokerage, as well as tailor-made supply chain management solutions. The integration of CEVA within the group allows CMA CGM to offer its clients services beyond maritime transport, managing goods flows from end to end.
• Port operations and terminals: The group invests in port terminals worldwide (often via its subsidiary Terminal Link, co-owned with a partner). These investments ensure CMA CGM optimal reception capacities for its ships and efficient container handling in strategic ports. Managing or co-managing terminals improves productivity (faster loading/unloading) and the reliability of operations for the group and its clients.
• Intermodal solutions (rail/road) and land transport: Aware that a container's journey does not end at the port, CMA CGM has developed land transport solutions to extend the maritime service to the client's warehouse or factory. The group operates or charters trains and trucks to ensure transport continuity (door-to-door). These intermodal services skillfully combine maritime, rail, and road to deliver cargo efficiently and flexibly.
• Air freight: Since the launch of CMA CGM Air Cargo in 2021, the group has also positioned itself in air freight transport. It operates a dedicated fleet of cargo planes to transport high-value or time-sensitive goods, offering a faster alternative than shipping. This air segment, conducted in strategic partnership with companies like Air France-KLM, illustrates CMA CGM's desire to cover all modes of transport.
• Shipping and maritime agency services: CMA CGM provides maritime agency services for its own ships and on behalf of other companies. This includes managing port calls, transport documentation (issuing bills of lading, etc.), shipment tracking, empty container management, and container or ship leasing. Thanks to its global network of agencies, the group ensures a local presence to coordinate these operations and assist clients in each served port.

Transport and logistics options

CMA CGM offers a wide range of services to transport goods according to the specific needs of its clients. The main types of services include:

• Port-to-port transport: This is the basic maritime service where CMA CGM takes charge of containers at a loading port and transports them to the agreed unloading port. This service is suitable for clients with their own means to transport the goods from the production site to the departure port, then from the arrival port to the final destination.
• Door-to-door transport: In this configuration, CMA CGM handles the entire journey. The container is picked up directly at the sender's address (company or warehouse) and delivered to the recipient's final address. This turnkey service thus includes pre- and post-land transport in addition to maritime transport, simplifying logistics for the client.
• Intermodal solutions: As mentioned, CMA CGM combines different modes of transport (maritime, river, rail, road) to optimize the journey in terms of cost and time. For example, a container can be transported by train from the inland factory to the loading port, then shipped by vessel, and finally delivered by truck on the last segment. The intermodal approach reduces handling breaks and improves the overall efficiency of delivery.

In addition to these modalities, CMA CGM offers specialized services for certain types of cargo. For example, the group has refrigerated containers and expertise in temperature-controlled transport for perishable products (food, pharmaceuticals, etc.). It also handles oversized or very large goods (industrial projects, heavy equipment) thanks to adapted containers (platforms or open-top containers). For dangerous goods, CMA CGM adheres to strict safety protocols and offers its expertise to ensure transport compliance with international regulations. The pricing of CMA CGM services is determined based on several factors such as the type of service (door-to-door vs port-to-port), distance, nature and volume of the cargo, and any additional services (insurance, customs clearance, etc.). The group emphasizes a transparent pricing policy, providing detailed quotes to clients via its website or sales teams. In general, CMA CGM strives to provide reliable, fast, and competitive transport solutions, tailored to the constraints of each shipment.

Geographical presence and port coverage

With its history and acquisitions, CMA CGM has a very wide geographical footprint. The group is present in more than 160 countries and serves over 420 ports worldwide. Its fleet of more than 500 ships of all sizes allows it to cover all major international maritime routes. In Europe, CMA CGM reaches all major ports (notably Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg, Le Havre, Marseille, etc.) and connects the continent to other global markets. In Asia, the company is strongly established in China (Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen) and the rest of East Asia, Southeast Asia (Singapore, Port Kelang, etc.), and the Indian subcontinent (ports of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka). In the Middle East, CMA CGM serves major hubs like Dubai or Jeddah. In Africa, following the acquisition of Delmas, the group has a significant presence on the west and east coasts (Abidjan, Lagos, Durban, Mombasa, etc.), facilitating trade to and from the African continent. On the American continent, CMA CGM calls at major ports in the United States (Los Angeles, New York, Miami, etc.), as well as in Canada (Montreal) and Latin America (Brazil, Colombia, Chile, etc.). In Oceania, the group is active in Australia (Sydney, Melbourne) and New Zealand. This global presence is supported by strategic hubs where transshipment is optimized. For example, Singapore in the Asia-Pacific region and Tanger Med in Morocco for Africa and the Mediterranean are among the platforms where CMA CGM concentrates flows before redistributing them to other destinations. The group's network is regularly adjusted based on demand and global trade developments, by opening new routes or increasing frequencies on growing corridors.

Operational strategies and innovations

Operating a global fleet of container ships requires complex organization and strategic choices to ensure efficiency and reliability. CMA CGM operates according to a model of alliance and innovation to support its activity. The group is notably a member of the Ocean Alliance alongside other major companies (such as COSCO Shipping, Evergreen Line, and OOCL). This alliance, established in 2017, allows for the sharing of ships and the coordination of rotations on numerous maritime routes. By pooling their resources, the alliance's shipowners optimize ship filling and offer their clients more frequent departures and expanded port coverage, while reducing unit costs. On the operational level, CMA CGM coordinates its ships from its navigation center and its land teams, ensuring schedule compliance and safety. Ships follow planned rotations connecting ports according to fixed itineraries (regular services). At loading, containers are stowed according to optimized deck plans (to balance the ship and facilitate intermediate stops). Advanced computer systems manage the location of each container on board and track the ships' positions in real-time. In case of contingencies (weather conditions, port congestion), the group can adjust itineraries or transship containers via alternative intermediate ports to minimize delays. Technological innovation is a key aspect of CMA CGM's operating mode. The group has deployed a digital platform named My CMA CGM, allowing clients to book online, track their shipments, manage documentation, and access tools to manage their supply chain. Furthermore, CMA CGM invests in internal digitalization: using artificial intelligence to optimize routes based on weather and traffic data, deploying connected sensors in containers (for example, to monitor the temperature of refrigerated containers or detect unauthorized openings), and developing performance dashboards to track fleet efficiency. Another important aspect of the operation is environmental commitment. Aware of climate issues, CMA CGM has been a pioneer in adopting liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered ships, which emit less CO₂ and atmospheric pollutants than traditional heavy fuel oil. In 2020, the group commissioned the CMA CGM Jacques Saadé, the first of a series of nine mega-container ships of 23,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent) running on LNG. Additionally, CMA CGM is exploring the use of alternative fuels such as biomethane or methanol in its transition towards a carbon-neutral goal by 2050. These initiatives are part of a broader sustainable development policy, which also includes optimizing ships' energy consumption (speed reduction, efficient hull design, anti-pollution systems) and compensation or marine biodiversity protection programs. Finally, CMA CGM's corporate culture emphasizes safety and service quality. Strict protocols govern operations to ensure the integrity of transported goods and the safety of crews and port personnel. The group continuously trains its employees in best practices and obtains international certifications (such as ISO 9001 for quality, ISO 14001 for the environment, ISO 28000 for supply chain security) to guarantee a high level of operational performance.

Shipment tracking tools

In the era of transparent and real-time logistics, CMA CGM offers its clients powerful tools to track the progress of their shipments. Each container or shipment is assigned a unique identifier usable in CMA CGM's online tracking system. Most commonly, this is the container number - a tracking code composed of 11 characters (4 letters followed by 7 digits, for example CMAU1234567) that allows precise identification of each box. This code generally includes the carrier's prefix (for example CMAU for CMA CGM) and a unique series of digits for the container. In addition to the container number, tracking can also be done using the booking number or the bill of lading number, depending on the information available to the client. To know the real-time position and status of a shipment, the client can log in to the CMA CGM website or via the dedicated mobile app. The tracking interface (often referred to as the Shipment Dashboard) allows entering the tracking number and accessing updated data. It provides information such as the current position of the ship carrying the container (thanks to updates from the automatic identification system of ships, AIS), the stops made and to come, and the estimated time of arrival at ports (ETA). The tracking system also sends notifications whenever an important event occurs in the transport cycle, thus offering proactive visibility to the client on any anomaly or potential delay. This enhanced transparency helps clients plan their operations accordingly and reduces uncertainty related to maritime transit. In the CMA CGM tracking system, several standardized statuses are used to indicate the progress of a container along the transport chain. Each of these statuses corresponds to a key stage, from the initial container pickup to the final delivery or exit from the destination port. The table below presents the main tracking statuses used by CMA CGM and their meaning: