The French shipping company CMA CGM posted strong results in the second quarter of 2026. The increase of over 30% is primarily attributable to the shipping segment.
Recent months have been heavily influenced by developments in the Middle East: the conflict between the US and Iran is causing ripples that are affecting global trade routes. At the same time, world trade has remained buoyant: consumer demand is high, and businesses continue to show a willingness to invest. In light of new tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, the market is also seeing orders being brought forward to build up stock in anticipation of possible levies.
For CMA CGM, one of the world’s largest shipping companies, adapting its network and operational processes has paid off in this environment. The group achieved strong growth in its transport volume last quarter, which was 6 per cent higher year-on-year. “Combined with stable freight rates, this result offset the additional costs caused by the conflict in the Middle East – including costs arising from the grounding of certain vessels, higher insurance premiums and lower volumes on routes calling at ports in the region,” the shipping company stated.
Revenue totalled $15.7 billion, representing a significant increase compared with the same period in 2025: it rose by 19.2%. EBITDA followed a similar trend, increasing by 31% to a total of $3 billion. The margin stood at 19 per cent, also an increase of 1.7 percentage points.
“Against a backdrop of ongoing geopolitical instability, the Group delivered solid results in the second quarter of 2026, driven by the performance of our shipping activities, the growth of our terminal and air freight businesses, and the complementary strengths of our logistics division,” said Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé. “This performance reflects our strategy of expanding into key markets and investing in strategic assets. It once again underlines the strength of our business model, our agility and our resilience – always with the aim of providing our customers with reliable, high-quality services.”
$10 billion in shipping revenue
According to CMA CGM, this performance is primarily attributable to the shipping business. A positive volume effect and improved freight rates boosted the result, whilst the operating environment was characterised by risks. Transport volume during the period in question totalled 6.3 million TEU, an increase of 6% compared with the second quarter of 2025. Revenue rose by 22% to a total of $10 billion. Accordingly, CMA CGM generated revenue of $1,575 per container unit, representing a year-on-year increase of 15.1%.
EBITDA amounted to $2.3 billion, compared with $1.6 billion in the second quarter of 2025. The EBITDA margin rose by 3.3 percentage points to 22.7%, reflecting higher freight rates compared with the previous year.
The shipping line’s network has continued to expand in recent months, partly through the launch of several new services in South-East Asia, from there to the US West Coast and across the Atlantic. In response to disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the Group continued to rely on alternative multimodal corridors to maintain the stability of supply chains in the region.
Another milestone of the quarter was the commissioning of the “CMA CGM Notre Dame”, the world’s largest LNG-powered container ship flying the French flag. Following its first port calls in Asia, the vessel was officially inaugurated in Le Havre before completing its first bio-LNG bunkering operation in Rotterdam.
