The CMA CGM ORFEO, a CMA CGM vessel and symbol of the economic ties between France and China, will be exceptionally berthing Marseilles during the Chinese Prime Minister visit at the CMA CGM Group

The CMA CGM ORFEO, a 9,658 TEUs vessel, symbolizes the commercial relations between France and China. Sailing the CMA CGM Group’s Mediterranean Club Express line (MEX), the CMA CGM ORFEO calls the ports of Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian, Chiwan, Port Klang, Malta, Valencia, Barcelona, Fos sur Mer, Malta, Salalah, Port Klang, Xiamen and Shanghai. This line is included in the Ocean Three agreements that were concluded in 2014 and which include the Chinese shipping company China Shipping Containers Lines – CSCL.

During this exceptional call, the CMA CGM ORFEO will be welcoming the Chinese Prime Minister by being decorated in the Chinese colors.

Present in China since 1992, the CMA CGM Group is known there under the name of Da Fei – the one who moves forward. The Group now counts more than 1,700 collaborators in 74 offices in 25 Chinese provinces. 71 of the Group’s lines call 13 Chinese ports 248 times a week. Around 4 million containers were handled by the CMA CGM Group in China in 2014, which represents around 10% of the Chinese market.

Every three hours, a CMA CGM vessel calls China. Each time, thousands of tons of French and European products are unloaded – raw materials, foods, wines and spirits… - and as many are reloaded – appliances, high tech…

More than just an actor of the Franco-Chinese trades, CMA CGM also orders its containers to the Chinese group CIMC and orders vessels to Chinese shipyards.

Many agreements have been signed during the past few years between CMA CGM and chinese companies:

• In 2013 CMA CGM sold 49% of its subsidiary Terminal Link, a terminal development and management operator, to China Merchants – CMHI
• In 2014, CMA CGM concluded an agreement with CSCL and the Middle East Group UASC to pool more than 160 vessels on the East-West lines.

Tomorrow, during the Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang’s visit, two major economic agreements will be signed:

• A USD 1 billion financing solutions framework agreement with the Chinese bank CEXIM
• A partnership between China Merchants (CMHI) and CMA CGM to develop the strategic “One Belt, One Road” project.