CMA CGM sets up dedicated air freight division

 CMA CGM, owner of Ceva Logistics, is stepping up its strategic development in logistics by creating a specialised air freight division.

Commenting on the move, Chairman and CEO, Rodolphe Saadé, said in a statement: “In response to the growing demand from our customers for agile logistics solutions, we are creating a new division within the CMA CGM Group dedicated to air transport: CMA CGM Air Cargo.

“This division will launch with four Airbus A330-200F aircraft and will leverage commercial partnerships with airlines in order to deliver global coverage. This is a major milestone in the development of our logistics services.”

The statement underlined that CMA CGM Group is purchasing the 60-tonne-payload freighter aircraft, which came into service between 2014 and 2016. “With a range of 4,000 nautical miles, they will connect Europe with the rest of the world. The CMA CGM Group will entrust the operation of its freighter fleet to a (unidentified) European airline.”

According to media reports, the aircraft, have been acquired from Qatar Airways Cargo and it is thought they will be operated by Air Belgium.

In September last year, CMA CGM announced a strategic cooperation agreement with Dubreuil Aéro, which saw it take a 30% stake in the French privately-owned airline group representing an investment of €50 million.

A Memorandum of Understanding made provision for “the creation of a centre of expertise in transport and logistics to develop air freight” with CMA-CGM contributing to the development of Dubreuil Aéro’s cargo activity, notably via Hi Line Cargo, a subsidiary tasked with marketing the bellycargo capacity of (Dubreuil-owned) carriers’ Air Caraïbes and French Bee aircraft  The two companies operate 14 long-haul airplanes, including eight Airbus A350s, which can carry between 15 and 25 tonnes of cargo.