CMA CGM CEO says Brazil is key to group’s growth

The CEO of French group CMA CGM, Rodolphe Saadé, said the company “wants to expand operations in Brazil” and that the country “has a fundamental role in the conglomerate’s growth strategy.” The remarks were made during a meeting with Brazil’s Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, and the president of the Santos Port Authority, Anderson Pomini, at CMA CGM’s headquarters in Marseille, southern France. The statements were shared on social media.

The minister was in France for the “France Mission 2025” organized by the Brazil Export Group, which brought together more than 100 business leaders and officials for meetings and technical visits to French ports, including Le Havre and Marseille.

During the meeting, Costa Filho and Saadé discussed investment opportunities in Brazil. In November 2023, CMA CGM announced the acquisition of 51% of shares in Santos Brasil, which operates, among other facilities, the Santos Container Terminal (Tecon). The group is now preparing to acquire the remaining 49% and delist the company.

CMA CGM is also seen as a potential bidder for the Tecon Santos 10 concession, a mega container and general cargo terminal planned for the Santos port complex. The project, mentioned by Saadé in the meeting, is expected to increase the port’s export capacity. According to studies by the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq), the new facility could handle up to 3.25 million TEUs per year.

In addition to ports, the CEO expressed interest in Brazil’s civil aviation sector. CMA CGM already operates CMA CGM Air Cargo, created in 2021 for air freight transport.

The Ministry of Ports and Airports reported in a statement that the meeting focused on investment opportunities, particularly in upcoming port concessions. Saadé reiterated: “Brazil is strategic for CMA CGM. We want to expand our operations and strengthen our presence in the country with new investments and partnerships.”

Silvio Costa Filho said the agenda opens new perspectives: “Our commitment is to increase the competitiveness of the port sector, attract global investment, and ensure workforce training to prepare Brazil for the future.”

Hours later, Saadé posted photos of the meeting, reaffirming that “Brazil plays a fundamental role in CMA CGM’s growth.” Commenting on the takeover of Santos Brasil, he added that the acquisition “strengthens our presence in an important global trade hub and reflects our long-term commitment to a continent that is becoming essential to international trade.”

Port of Marseille

In addition to the meeting with Saadé, the minister and Pomini visited the Port of Marseille, France’s largest maritime complex. The port is multipurpose, handling both containers and cruise passengers. In 2023, around 2 million passengers embarked or disembarked at its facilities.

On social media, Costa Filho said he is working to make Brazilian ports more sustainable, capable of receiving larger ships, and boosting cruise tourism, especially in the North and Northeast.

Pomini emphasized that Santos is following the same modernization strategy: “The Santos dock is already studying the transfer of the cruise terminal to Valongo Park, which will strengthen tourism and increase the attractiveness of the complex.”

Source: Jornal da Orla

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