Operating as a hub for the global shipping industry, Asia dominates the international shipping commerce market, supported by a plethora of leading port complexes that help deliver maritime activities across the continent. Key exports from the region include high-tech electronics, vehicles and refined petroleum, as well as raw materials, fossil fuels and specialised machinery, which make up a large majority of the region’s import market. Thus, global and domestic shipping services that can facilitate the import and export markets across Asia are vital to support the region’s long-term economic development and continued connectivity to global markets. One of the leading shipping companies facilitating such operations is CMA CGM, which is a global leader in the sea, land, air and inland logistics sector. In Asia, CMA CGM is a long-time key driver of global trade between the continent and the rest of the world, which allows it to support Asian businesses and economic development for many years to come.
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CMA CGM has been present in Asia since 1992, when it established its roots in mainland China. From here, the company has continued to expand, building upon its 134 shipping services to extensively cover Asia, whilst developing 50 intra-Asia services through its subsidiary Cheng Lie Navigation CNC. Today, CMA CGM offer seamless connections to all inland destinations across the continent, providing deep-sea shipping, intra-Asia short-sea service and extensive intermodal networks that connect Asian markets to the world. Today, CMA CGM is present in 21 countries across Asia, delivering an interconnected and well-equipped shipping network that can support Asian businesses and connect them with markets on a global and domestic scale.
A key hub for global shipping in Asia is in Pakistan at the Port of Karachi, which is one of South Asia’s largest and busiest deep-water seaports. In Pakistan, CMA CGM is among the leading shipping agents serving the country, with expert maritime transportation services delivered from its headquarters in Karachi. Through CMA CGM’s extensive brand network, the company strategically operates across key industrial and economic hubs in Pakistan to help support development here through its shipping services. Currently, CMA CGM operates 6 direct weekly sailings and feeder connections across Pakistan, many of which stem from the Port of Karachi.
The Port of Karachi handles around 60% of Pakistan’s cargo, totalling around 250 million tons per annum (mtpa). The port is located within the Karachi Harbour and is in close proximity to key business and industrial districts across the region, as well as being in a prime location to the Strait of Hormuz. Therefore, thanks to the port’s ideal position, the port today operates as a vital gateway for maritime trade for the Central Asian Republics. For CMA CGM, it regularly operates from the Port of Karachi, primarily utilising the port complex’s Karachi Gateway Terminal, which is the main hub for CMA CGM’s Pakistan Khalifa Express (PIKEX), and the Karachi International Container Terminal (KCT). From these hubs, CMA CGM can support shipping to and from Pakistan to enhance the country’s vital shipping and logistics services to connect businesses across the region with markets around the world through its global network.
Alongside the Port of Karachi, CMA CGM also serves the Port Qasim in Pakistan, as this is a key hub for a range of commodities including minerals, oils, edible oils, coal, rice, wheat, cement and fertiliser, as well as general and containerised cargo. Plus, the port is also a key energy hub for Pakistan, thanks to its proximity to the country’s LNG energy development projects. Port Qasim is already connected directly with the country’s national highway and motorway network, providing seamless access to neighbouring countries, and so for CMA CGM it offers a key entryway to markets across the region. For CMA CGM, its operations at Port Qasim primarily focus on the DP World Terminal at the port, which it calls at along its PIKEX route, whilst providing rotation to and from hubs in the United Arab Emirates, India and Sri Lanka.
In Southeast Asia, Singapore is a key hub for CMA CGM, which is operated through its fully owned subsidiary of CMA CGM & ANL (Singapore) PTE LTD. For CMG CGM, the Port of Singapore serves as a major transhipment hub spanning a collection of facilities and terminals that oversee the bulk of the country’s maritime trade. For this reason, the port is one of the world’s busiest for transhipment operations, whilst also being ranked high among the world’s busiest by shipping tonnage. Today, the port connects with over 600 ports and 120 countries worldwide, making it a key hub for global trade. One of the key facilities in Singapore for CMA CGM is the CMA CGM-PSA Lion Terminal (CPLT), which is a joint venture with PSA International. The facility is located at PSA’s Pasir Panjang Terminal, and serves as a massive, highly efficient transhipment hub serving the wider Southeast Asian region.
In Vietnam, CMA CGM has been present in the country since 1989 and currently operates from 5 offices, which are located in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Haiphong, Danang, and Quy Nhon. Across the country, CMA CGM deliver 29 weekly services spanning 7 of the country’s ports, which it connects with destinations around the world through its intermodal shipping networks. However, one of the most exciting developments of CMA CGM in Vietnam is the development of the Gemalink Container Terminal, located in the Cai Mep-Thi Vai Port Complex in the south of the country. The container is being delivered by CMA CGM as part of a major joint venture project with Gemadept. The project is a milestone development for CMA CGM to enhance its port capacity in Southeast Asia, while confirming its long-term commitment to shipping and logistics within the region. Through the development of the terminal, CMA CGM aims to help deliver vital economic development for Vietnam, whilst supporting more resilient and seamless supply chains across the region.
In April, CMA CGM and Gemadept announced that they were launching the second phase of the Gemalink Terminal development, which would see the expansion of the terminal’s capacity from 1.7 million TEUs to 3 million TEUs by 2027. To facilitate a larger handling capacity for the terminal, the joint venture plans to extend the existing quay length by 450 meters in two parts, adding 12 hectares to the container yard, and adding 5 ship-to-shore cranes, enabling it to increase from 8 to 13 units of yard equipment. Through these developments, the Gemalink Container terminal will be primed to serve Vietnam, delivering dynamic and continuous growth of the country’s import and export markets, whilst cementing the country’s place as a key shipping hub at the heart of Asian supply chains.
Speaking on the expansion plans, Christine Cabau Woehrel, Executive Vice President of the CMA CGM Group in charge of Operations and Assets, said, “Today’s groundbreaking ceremony for Gemalink Phase 2 underscores the CMA CGM Group’s long-term commitment to Vietnam. It also clearly demonstrates the strong partnership we have with Gemadept – one that is built on trust and shared ambition.” Christine Cabau Woehrel continues, “This expansion will increase Gemalink’s capacity up to 3 million TEUs by the fourth quarter of 2027, consolidating Vietnam’s role in global supply chains and its vision to become a leading maritime logistics hub in Southeast Asia by 2050.” As we can see from Christine Cabau Woehrel’s comments, CMA CGM’s role across Vietnam is set to continue to expand, as it works alongside Gemadept to enhance the Gemalink Container Terminal and deliver it as a vital hub for maritime operations within the global shipping sector.
As we can see from just a snapshot of some of CMA CGM’s operations across Asia, it is a leading logistics provider that is committed to making shipping across the continents seamless and reliable. Across Asia, CMA CGM provides vital shipping lines which ensure that customers across the region can access global markets, whilst businesses from across the world can access Asian markets. With a plethora of commodities moving throughout the continent’s import and export markets, it’s no surprise that Asia today is such a vital hub for global shipping. Therefore, with a significant need for vital shipping services to support the shipping hub, it’s great to see companies such as CMA CGM working to support, develop and invest in port and logistics infrastructure across Asia for a more well-connected future.
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