(Ecofin Agency) - • CMA CGM discusses multi-billion euro investments with Algeria’s president
• French shipping group plans to transform Oran into a regional logistics hub
• Initiative aligns with broader strategy to expand African port operations

Algeria occupies a central position in the African strategy of French shipping company CMA CGM. Already present in several ports across the continent, the group continues to expand with significant new projects.

On, June 2, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune received Rodolphe Saadé, the CEO of CMA CGM Group. As per reports in El Watan and several other media outlets, the discussion revolved around a multi-billion euro investment plan for significant port projects, including the concession of the port of Oran, which the French shipping company aims to transform into a regional logistics hub in the Mediterranean.

While the exact details of the discussions remain undisclosed, this meeting underscores CMA CGM’s intent to strengthen its presence in Algeria. Already active in nine ports of the country, including Algiers, Annaba, Béjaïa, Skikda, and Ghazaouet, the group aims to enhance its operational control over key infrastructures. One ongoing project includes the launch of a Marseille to Oran maritime line to be operated by La Méridionale, a subsidiary of the group. The service aims to facilitate trade and passenger flow between Southern Europe and Algeria, offering increased connectivity.

The group’s strategy also manifested itself in the 2024 cancellation of the port congestion charge applied to Algerian ports, seen as a gesture of appeasement amid tensions with France and a sign of long-term partnership.

By targeting the port of Oran, CMA CGM aims to establish itself as a key player in redefining logistics flows in the Western Mediterranean. This positioning could help Algeria become a strategic convergence point between Europe, North Africa, and the Sahel, with significant economic benefits in terms of exports, transshipment, and related industrial activity.

Beyond Algeria, CMA CGM actively continues its African strategy. The group is present in several major ports on the continent, including Abidjan, Douala, Dakar, Cotonou, Lomé, and Port-Said through its subsidiaries CMA Terminals and CEVA Logistics. Over the recent years, it has increased the frequency of port calls, launched new maritime routes, and bolstered its ground logistics to better serve African hinterlands.