French Shipping Firm Plans Massive Investment Into US Shipbuilding Industry

CMA CGM Group announced a $20 billion investment to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding industry, aiming for a significant transformation of the nation’s maritime capabilities.

Key Insights

The Trump administration plans to overhaul U.S. maritime sectors to compete with China’s shipbuilding capacity.
A draft executive order calls for a maritime action plan and creation of a maritime office in the White House.
CMA CGM’s investment aims to create 10,000 new jobs and enhance U.S. shipping infrastructure.
The initiative echoes the focus of the Merchant Marine Act of 1970 on American shipping.

Significant Investment in U.S. Infrastructure

CMA CGM Group, a leader in global shipping, plans to invest $20 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. This substantial investment seeks to expand the U.S.-flag fleet, port terminals, warehouses, and air cargo facilities. The company currently operates in 40 states and will triple its U.S.-flag fleet from 10 to 30 vessels.

The investment breakdown includes $8 billion for containerships, $7 billion for logistics, $4 billion for ports, and $1 billion for air cargo. Plans involve developing ports in major cities like New York and Los Angeles and establishing an air cargo hub in Chicago. This initiative aligns with efforts to rejuvenate American shipbuilding and echo past maritime legislation.

French shipping company CMA CGM Group will invest $20 billion in the United States to help shore up the nation’s shipbuilding infrastructure, President Donald Trump announced on March 6.https://t.co/WrKtiQefBZ

— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) March 6, 2025

Revitalizing the American Shipbuilding Industry

Proclaimed by President Donald Trump, this investment correlates with a broader strategy to enhance the U.S. maritime industry. The Trump administration’s strategy includes plans for an executive order mandating a complete overhaul of America’s commercial and military maritime sectors.

“To boost our defense industrial base, we are also going to resurrect the American shipbuilding industry, including commercial shipbuilding and military shipbuilding. And for that purpose, I am announcing tonight that we will create a new office of shipbuilding in the White House and offer special tax incentives to bring this industry home to America, where it belongs,” Trump stated.

These measures include the creation of a new office of shipbuilding within the White House’s National Security Council, special tax incentives, and a focus on regaining competitive ground lost to China. Multiple departments will be involved in providing a comprehensive maritime action plan to ensure timely execution.

Rodolphe Saadé, CMA CGM Chairman and CEO, emphasized the group’s long-standing relationship with the U.S. and its mission to reinforce the country’s maritime sector and logistics capabilities. “I am proud to build on our long-standing relationship with the United States through this commitment of $20 billion to the country’s maritime future and logistics capabilities,” Saadé said.