CMA CGM Group Recommits to Virginia

Founded in 1978 in France, the CMA CGM Group is a world leader in shipping and logistics and the nation’s top ocean freight carrier. The multi-billion-dollar company operates in 177 countries, employs more than 160,000 workers across the globe, and operates more than 650 vessels, moving product through 80% of the world’s ports.

The company has also found significant success at its U.S. headquarters in Norfolk as a top user of The Port of Virginia.

In 2020, driven by the company’s continued growth, CMA CGM began evaluating two distinct possibilities: either grow its presence in Hampton Roads, or leave Virginia and expand operations in a competing market in another state.

Tapping into Transportation 

There was certainly a lot to consider. Virginia represents an entry point for domestic and global commerce, offering an advantageous East Coast location that enables companies to access major U.S. economic hubs. 

The Commonwealth is within a day’s drive of nearly half of American consumers, specifically convenient to both the Northeast corridor and the high-growth Southeast. Virginia’s integrated transportation system of highways, railroads, airports, and seaports offers significant logistical advantages across industries. These are the assets that originally convinced CMA CGM to establish its U.S. headquarters in Norfolk in 2005.

Additionally, in 2020, The Port of Virginia was in the midst of a $1.5 billion modernization and expansion project. By 2026, it officially became the deepest and widest channel anywhere in the East Coast. As CMA CGM considered expanding in Virginia, the opportunity to continue a successful partnership with the rapidly expanding port was a key benefit.

We always had a strong and long-lasting commitment to the U.S. [Virginia was] an obvious choice for us.

Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO, CMA CGM Group

Investing in a Thriving Ecosystem

Following a competitive site selection search process and incentive negotiations, CMA CGM announced a $36 million investment in Virginia, retaining its North American headquarters in Norfolk and remaining in the Commonwealth. 

The expansion created more than 400 new jobs and established ZEBOX, a startup incubator and accelerator in Arlington County that assists innovative startups in developing new technologies for transportation, logistics, mobility, and more.

ZEBOX America, which brings together the agile innovation of the startup ecosystem with the global impact of corporate partners, officially opened in April 2022. ZEBOX occupies a state-of-the-art headquarters in the National Landing business district in Arlington County and has partnered with a variety of U.S. supply chain and logistics entities. 

The impressive scope of CMA CGM’s commitment to Virginia, from expanding its operation in Hampton Roads to establishing ZEBOX America in Arlington County, demonstrates how the Commonwealth’s strategic access to global and domestic markets, transportation infrastructure, world-class port facilities, and commitment to innovation continue to make Virginia an in-demand destination for international businesses like CMA CGM.