CMA CGM increases its revenue by 19.2% in the second quarter | El Estrecho Digital

The CMA CGM group closed the second quarter of 2026 with revenues of 15,700 million dollars, 19.2% more than in the same period of the previous year, and an EBITDA of 3,000 million, 31% higher than a year ago. The EBITDA margin stood at 19%, 1.7 percentage points above that recorded between April and June 2025. The improvement comes mainly from the maritime business, sustained by the increase in volumes and higher freight rates in a market affected by geopolitical tensions and risks to global supply chains.

Maritime transport moved 6.3 million TEUs in the quarter, 6% more year-on-year. Revenues from this activity reached 10,000 million dollars, 22% more, with an average income per TEU of 1,575 dollars, 15.1% higher than a year earlier. The EBITDA of the maritime business increased from 1,600 to 2,300 million dollars, and the margin gained 3.3 percentage points, reaching 22.7%.

Despite the ongoing geopolitical instability, the group has achieved solid results in the second quarter of 2026, thanks to the performance of our maritime activities, the growth of our terminals and air cargo business, and the complementarity of our logistics operations,” said Rodolphe Saadé, chairman and CEO of CMA CGM. “These results reflect our growth strategy in key markets and investment in strategic assets, and once again demonstrate the strength of our model, our agility, and our resilience, in service of a reliable quality of service for our customers.”

World trade maintained its tone during the quarter due to four factors, according to the shipping company: the resilience of consumption, corporate investment, inventory replenishment amidst uncertainty, and the acceleration of orders before the implementation of new tariffs. In this scenario, the group adjusted its network and operations, optimized fleet deployment, and maintained cost discipline. The growth in transported volume and the level of freight compensated for the additional costs arising from the conflict in the Middle East, including the immobilization of certain vessels, increased insurance premiums, and the decline in volumes in services calling in the region.

In the maritime chapter, CMA CGM launched the Ocean Rise Express service during the quarter, which connects Japan and southern China with northern Europe, and the Mekong Transpacific Express, between Vietnam and the west coast of the United States. It also expanded the transatlantic PAD service, which now calls at the port of Cork, Ireland. In West Africa, the company opened its regional office in Abidjan and received the first call of the CMA CGM ZEPHYR on the WAX 1 service, which is now operating directly. To address the disruptions caused by tensions in the Middle East, the group continued to deploy alternative multimodal corridors to Gulf countries.

The quarter also included the entry into service of the CMA CGM NOTRE DAME, the largest LNG-powered container ship under the French flag. After its first calls in Asia, the vessel was officially inaugurated in Le Havre and completed its first bunkering operation with bio-LNG in Rotterdam.

In logistics, CEVA invoiced 5,000 million dollars, 8.5% more than in the second quarter of 2025, supported by organic growth, perimeter effects, and the exchange rate. Its EBITDA, however, decreased by 15.4%, down to 388 million, and the margin fell by 2.2 points, to 7.8%, due to pressure on the freight transit business and the difficulties faced by the automotive sector.

The subsidiary signed memoranda of understanding with manufacturers BYD and Chery Auto to develop global end-to-end logistics solutions, opened an automated distribution center in Alashankou (China) to cater to trans-Eurasian road flows, and expanded its air cargo capacity between Asia-Pacific and the United States with new charter flights from Vietnam and China. In the United Kingdom, it incorporated a fleet of low-emission vehicles for land transport. Colis Privé, a CEVA subsidiary, also announced the planned acquisition of Paack, which will add e-commerce delivery capacity in France, Spain, and Portugal.

The rest of the activities invoiced 1,500 million dollars, 47.6% more, with an EBITDA of 338 million, 44.5% higher than a year earlier, and a margin of 22.8%, half a point below. The group attributes this evolution to the performance of the terminals and air cargo and the incorporation of acquired companies. In terminals, CMA CGM launched the second phase of the expansion of the Gemalink container terminal in Vietnam, and Saadé signed a collaboration agreement with the Government of Kenya for the development of transport and logistics infrastructure during the Africa Forward Summit. In June, it acquired Crystal Aero Solutions, specialized in aircraft maintenance, which will continue to operate as an independent supplier.

In the media, BFMTV remained the most-watched news channel in France, a position it has held continuously since March. CMA Media participated in organizing the World Media Congress of WAN-IFRA in Marseille, while RMC and Brut provided coverage from New York during the 2026 World Cup.

For the coming months, the shipping company warns that tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt maritime routes and affect freight and operating costs, and that tariff measures adopted by some countries may alter flows of international trade. The company states it will maintain a cautious approach supported by its presence throughout the entire logistics chain, the flexibility of its network, and the strength of its balance sheet.