CMA CGM Group Expands US Presence

February 8, 2021

The CMA CGM Group will grow its presence in Virginia, where its U.S. headquarters is located, and create more than 400 new jobs. The announcement was made today by Governor Ralph Northam and Ed Aldridge, President of CMA CGM America and APL North America.

This decision reaffirms the Group’s strong partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia and its commitment to the U.S. economy.

The Group will invest a projected $36 million to expand operations in Hampton Roads, reinforce its headquarters in Norfolk, and establish the American hub of ZEBOX in Arlington County, a startup incubator and accelerator initiated by Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of the CMA CGM Group. Virginia was selected following a competitive site-selection search that included competing markets in other states.

ZEBOX, an innovation hub, to support startups in the development of new technologies

Together with key partners, ZEBOX will assist innovative startups in developing new technologies in for transportation, logistics, mobilities and industry 4.0. Zebox will become an essential place where entrepreneurs from all over the world meet and work on building tomorrow’s innovations.

The Group began its U.S. operations in 1997 and decided to open its U.S. headquarters in Norfolk in 2005. Today, CMA CGM continues to show its commitment to the U.S. economy and its American customers with:

More than 12,000 staff members across the United States

19 U.S. ports served

34 services between the United States and the rest of the world

93 weekly port calls

CEVA Logistics, a world reference in third-party logistics, which provides and operates transportation and supply-chain solutions for large or medium size national and multinational companies. CEVA Logistics offers a broad range of services in both Contract Logistics and Freight Management, operating from over 117 locations in the U.S. CEVA Logistics’ experienced specialists focus on seamlessly designing end-to-end customized solutions to meet the complex and rapidly evolving supply chain needs whatever the business sector.

Its subsidiary American President Lines, LLC (APL), which has been a trusted partner to the U.S. government for ocean transportation and in-country logistics since WWI. APL provides container transportation and offers secure and efficient services to key foreign military locations including five weekly U.S. flag services linking North America to Asia and Europe.

Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the CMA CGM Group, said: “Today’s announcement marks the opening of a new chapter in the long-lasting history of the CMA CGM Group with the United States and Virginia. The strong, trustful ties that bind us to the Commonwealth of Virginia will be further reinforced with the creation of 400 new jobs and strategic investments. Such a partnership is a great opportunity for our Group and our American customers. Furthermore, given the success of our startup incubator and accelerator ZEBOX in France, we’re thrilled to launch ZEBOX America in Arlington County. This is an exciting challenge to enable the development of innovative, game-changing projects and technologies.”

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam said: “This project is a tremendous victory for Virginia that will add significant momentum to our economic recovery as we emerge from this pandemic. Hampton Roads has a well-deserved reputation as a maritime services hub and our renowned tech workforce in Northern Virginia continues to attract leading companies. Securing CMA CGM’s expansion sends a powerful message that The Port of Virginia stands among the world’s greatest and our Commonwealth is prepared to keep adapting to the demands of our global economy.”

Ed Aldridge, President of CMA CGM America and APL North America, said, “The CMA CGM Group is pleased to choose the Commonwealth of Virginia to expand our operations and create 400 jobs. Committed to the U.S. economy, we have a long history in Virginia that began in 2002 when we opened our first office in Virginia Beach. We later increased our presence and moved into our Norfolk headquarters in 2005. We are very pleased to expand our roots again and continue working with the Port of Virginia. Together we provide great maritime services to customers both in Virginia and around the world in addition to offering reliable inland transport to America’s heartland utilizing the port’s excellent rail network.”