Major Investment Aims to Transform U.S. Shipping Infrastructure and Logistics

French shipping giant CMA CGM Group commits $20 billion to revitalize America’s maritime industry, tripling its U.S.-flagged fleet and creating 10,000 new jobs as part of the Trump administration’s push to rebuild America’s shipping dominance.

Key Takeaways

CMA CGM will invest $20 billion in U.S. shipping, logistics, and supply chain infrastructure over the next four years
The investment is expected to create 10,000 new American jobs and increase U.S. flag vessels from 10 to 30
President Trump announced a new government shipbuilding program and plans to establish a White House Office of Shipbuilding
Special tax incentives are being planned to revitalize the declining U.S. shipping industry, which has seen merchant ships decrease from 282 in 2000 to 185 today
CMA CGM already employs 15,000 Americans across 40 states and transports over 5 million shipping containers to and from the U.S. annually

Major Maritime Investment to Strengthen U.S. Supply Chain

CMA CGM Group, a global leader in logistics solutions, has committed to a $20 billion investment in American maritime transportation, logistics, and supply chain capabilities. The announcement came during a recent press conference with President Trump, where CMA CGM Chairman Rodolphe Saadé confirmed the company’s plans to significantly expand its U.S. operations. The ambitious investment is set to unfold over the next four years, transforming America’s domestic supply chain and reinforcing the country’s position in international trade. This major commitment represents one of the largest foreign investments in U.S. maritime infrastructure in recent history.

The investment will focus on expanding shipping logistics, infrastructure, and terminals throughout the United States. CMA CGM, which owns the U.S. flag carrier American President Lines (APL), plans to dramatically increase its American-flagged fleet from 10 vessels to 30, addressing a critical need for strengthening America’s merchant marine capabilities. The company also mentioned potential expansion in domestic shipbuilding activities for container vessels, which would further boost American maritime manufacturing capabilities and provide additional high-quality jobs in the shipbuilding sector.

CMA CGM has "committed" to invest US$ 20bn in the U.S. maritime industry. The building and flagging of ships under the U.S. registry.
It seems CMA CGM (has just found) BETTER WAYS to do bussiness with the Trump's Administration. pic.twitter.com/AWIj3xX3lQ

— Themaritimepilot (@Themaritimepil2) March 9, 2025

Job Creation and Economic Impact

The massive investment by CMA CGM is projected to create approximately 10,000 new jobs across the United States. These positions will span various sectors of the maritime industry, including logistics, shipbuilding, port operations, and supply chain management. The job creation comes at a crucial time for the American maritime sector, which has experienced significant decline over recent decades. CMA CGM already maintains a substantial presence in America, operating in 40 states and employing 15,000 Americans through its 35-year history in the country.

The economic ripple effects of this investment are expected to extend far beyond direct employment. As one of the world’s largest shipping companies, CMA CGM transports over 5 million shipping containers to and from the United States each year. Enhancing the company’s American operations will likely strengthen supply chain resilience, potentially reducing shipping costs and delivery times for American businesses and consumers. The investment represents a significant vote of confidence in the U.S. economy and its future as a maritime power.

Government Support and Maritime Revival

In conjunction with the CMA CGM announcement, President Trump revealed plans for a new government program focused on shipbuilding, with details to be unveiled in the coming week. The administration intends to establish a new Office of Shipbuilding within the White House, signaling the strategic importance being placed on revitalizing America’s maritime capabilities. Special tax incentives are also being planned to encourage growth in the U.S. shipping industry, which has seen significant decline over recent decades.

The decline in American maritime capabilities presents a concerning trend. The number of U.S. flag merchant ships has fallen from 282 in 2000 to just 185 today. Similarly, the U.S. Navy’s fleet has dramatically decreased from 6,768 ships at the end of World War II to just 239 vessels in the current era. Only 10 major shipyards in the United States are actively building ships, a significant reduction from America’s shipbuilding capacity in previous decades. This investment aims to reverse this trend and restore America’s historic maritime strength. The CMA CGM investment, coupled with renewed government focus on the maritime sector, represents a strategic effort to ensure the United States maintains its historical role in global trade and security through a strong maritime presence in the increasingly competitive international shipping landscape.