The CMA CGM Group, a world leader in shipping and logistics, announced that Farid Salem was honored with the Lloyd’s List Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the maritime sector. He received this prestigious award at the Lloyd’s List Europe Awards, which were held yesterday in London by the maritime industry’s leading publication.
An exceptional contribution to CMA CGM since the Group’s creation in 1978
Farid Salem, Jacques Saadé's unfailing companion since the beginning of CMA CGM's entrepreneurial adventure, participated in the creation and launch of the Compagnie Maritime d'Affrètement (CMA) in Marseille in 1978. Through his 41 years as Executive Officer, he contributed to making the CMA CGM Group a global leader in container shipping.
Farid Salem thus took part in all the Group’s major milestones, such as the 1986 expansion of the North Europe-Red Sea line into Asia, the 1992 opening of the Group’s first office in China, and the 1996 merger with CGM, which created a new French shipping giant. He also took an active role in the major acquisitions secured by the Group over the years, including Australian National Line (ANL) in 1998, DELMAS in 2005 and APL in 2016.
Additionally, Farid Salem was behind the development of the Group’s port activities with the creation of Terminal Link in 2001, which enabled CMA CGM to become one of the Top 10 global operators in less than 20 years via Terminal Link and CMA Terminals.
A man of passion with strong human values
A strong reference in the shipping world, Farid Salem is known for his humility, discretion and strong efficiency. Throughout his career, he demonstrated his adaptability and responsiveness on numerous occasions and his expertise, energy and loyalty were invaluable to the Group’s development.
Farid Salem was always keen to pass on his expertise. His involvement, determination and responsiveness shaped a working method within CMA CGM, and he trained many executives who continue their activities today within the Group, sharing with them a strategic vision and strong values.
About CMA CGM
Led by Rodolphe Saadé, the CMA CGM Group is a world leader in shipping and logistics. Its 506 vessels serve more than 420 ports on five continents around the world and carried nearly 21 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in 2018. With CEVA, a world leader in logistics services, CMA CGM handled more than 500,000 tons of airfreight and 1.9 million tons of inland freight in 2018. CMA CGM is constantly innovating to offer customers new maritime, inland and logistics solutions. Present on every continent and in 160 countries through its network of 755 offices and 750 warehouses, the Group employs 110,000 people worldwide, of which 2,400 in Marseille where its head office is located.