The CMA CGM Group is pleased to announce that the CMA CGM BOUGAINVILLE, the world largest containership sailing under French flag, was inaugurated on Tuesday October 6th by French President François Hollande in Le Havre.
The inauguration took place in the presence of Jacques R. Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CMA CGM Group, of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Laurent Fabius, of the French Secretary of State for Transportation Alain Vidalies, of the Lebanese Minister of State Administrative Reform representing the Prime Minister Nabil de Freige, of many French parliamentarians and politicians, as well as several Chief Executive Officers and CMA CGM’s customers. Today, nearly 90% of traded goods in the world transit by sea. Maritime transportation plays a key role in this sector – as well as in the world’s economy. The CMA CGM BOUGAINVILLE is deployed on the French Asia Line (FAL) – a CMA CGM’s emblematic shipping line – between Europe and Asia and is the symbol of trades between these two continents. This vessel is also a reflection of the CMA CGM Group: familial, dynamic, innovative, and environmental friendly. A leading ship for a worldwide leading shipping Group. In his speech, Jacques Saadé mentioned that CMA CGM knows a sustainable growth - reinforced by several pioneer projects around the world and with innovative developments such as the Traxens technology transforming standard containers into smart, connected objects. The CMA CGM BOUGAINVILLE is the first containership in the world having such technology. Jacques Saadé also highlighted the CMA CGM Group’s commitments as an employer, to towards the society and for the environment. French President François Hollande paid tribute to CMA CGM and Jacques Saadé success: “It’s a great success. A success for you, your family, your staff members. A success for France.” He also outlined CMA CGM’s foresight: “you have always been one step ahead”. He concluded his speech by saluting the Group’s expansion benefiting French growth: “such ingenuity and work are strengths for France. […] We must be one step ahead: you set an example, an example to follow”.