French shipper CMA CGM has resumed limited commercial activities in Russia, focused on delivering food products, while strictly complying with existing sanctions. This decision involves its subsidiary CNC and addresses specific client needs. The company had stopped operations in the country since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
French shipper CMA CGM, the world's third-largest maritime transporter based in Marseille, has confirmed the resumption of certain commercial activities in Russia through its 100%-owned subsidiary CNC. According to the company, 'the regional operator CNC has resumed some of its commercial activities to meet specific client needs, particularly for supplying the Russian market with everyday consumer products such as citrus fruits and coffee.' This operation, decided in October and revealed by Le Marin from the Ouest-France group, remains 'very limited' and is conducted 'in strict compliance with the current sanctions regime.'
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, CMA CGM had stopped serving the country. A source close to the matter notes that the shipper does not physically serve Russia with its fleet but buys space for its containers on other companies' ships. Historically, the group supplied St. Petersburg by extending its lines to Finland.
By comparison, the world's number one, Swiss shipper MSC, has not interrupted its lines to Russia. On its website, MSC states that its ships call at Russian ports in accordance with sanctions, accepting only food, medical, and humanitarian (AMH) cargoes since March 1, 2022.
CMA CGM, which operates a fleet of over 650 ships including 370 owned and 33 under the French flag, as well as 60 port terminals in 30 countries, assures that 'the situation is under continuous monitoring and regular re-evaluation in light of the evolving international context.'