CMA CGM cuts French-flagged ship target from 40 to 33 amid tax concerns
CMA CGM announced it will register only 33 vessels under the French flag, abandoning a pledge to reach 40 by 2028.
During a July 2 ceremony in Le Le Havre, Rodolphe Saadé hailed the French flag and crews while christening the 24,212-TEU vessel Notre-Dame. Earlier, on June 9, he told the Assemblée Nationale’s economic affairs committee that CMA CGM would expand its French-flagged fleet from 30 to 40 ships by 2028. On September 24, the company informed employee representatives that the target would be capped at 33 ships, with the seven upcoming sister ships of the Notre-Dame to be registered under other flags.
A staff source described the change as a “fit of anger” from Saadé, catching trade unions and legislators surprised. The shift comes as the group faces a possible wind-wind tax on profits, prompting the strategic retreat.
Why it matters
It shows how tax policy can reshape corporate commitments to national employment and flag registration.
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