The CMA CGM KERGUELEN, the CMA CGM Group largest vessel, christened in France in line with the great seafaring tradition

Latest of the CMA CGM fleet’s vessels, the CMA CGM KERGUELEN was delivered on March 31st. She is, with her 398 meters length and 17,722 twenty-foot equivalent containers capacity, the Group’s largest vessel. She is the first of a 6 vessels of the same size series that will enter the fleet in 2015 and join the 460 vessels of the Group.

Jacques R. Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CMA CGM Group :

"The CMA CGM KERGUELEN is a major strategic asset for our Group. She strengthens our competitiveness and contributes to our growth continuity."

The CMA CGM Group is one of the world’s leading container shipping companies. In 2014, its carried volumes increased by 8.1%, up to 12.2 million TEUs, its revenue rose by 5.3% up to $16.7 billion and the Group realized one of the market’s best operating margins. The CMA CGM Group has had a continued growth and innovates to offer its clients new maritime, land and logistics solutions. The Group pursues its maritime development strategy by expanding its commercial network, by reinforcing its Reefer containers fleet, and by optimizing its maritime lines. The CMA CGM Group develops in the meantime a complementary offer to maritime transport. It has recently announced that it had obtained the concession of the Kingston Container Terminal in Jamaica, in order to turn it into its regional transshipment hub, that it had acquired LCL Logistix, an Indian logistics leading company, and that it would open new logistics platforms similar to the one to be developed in Cuba.

The CMA CGM KERGUELEN’s godmother, Mrs Catherine Hayot, closed the ceremony by launching the bottle of champagne that broke on the vessel’s hull and by stating the traditional sentence:

“I hereby christen this vessel CMA CGM KERGUELEN. God bless her and all those onboard.”

Catherine Hayot, born Catherine Brichant, married Bernard Hayot, who founded the Bernard Hayot group GBH. Employing 8,500 people, GBH has a worldwide presence.

Catherine Hayot

After graduating from the Paris School of Decorative Arts, Catherine Hayot worked for the advertising agency R.L.Dupuy for a couple of years.
In 1967, she married Bernard Hayot and moved to Martinique. They now have 4 children and 14 grandchildren.

Catherine Hayot worked for the GBH group at different positions. She also managed a furniture store for many years. She is now discretely but happily involved in her husband’s captivating life, who is very engaged in the islands daily life.
Catherine Hayot renovates heatedly three residences, one of which is classified as an historic monument. She is passionate about porcelain painting, tennis, flight training and more recently about golf.

After traveling frequently to Haiti, she founded and manages the Association “AGIR ENSEMBLE” that mainly focuses on providing young financially disadvantaged young Haitians education.