CMA CGM posts revenue of 11.8 billion for Q1 2024

EBITDA down 30% in a geopolitical environment that is impeding the fluidity of global trade.

The Board of Directors of the CMA CGM Group, a global player in sea, land, air and logistics solutions, met yesterday under the chairmanship of Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, to review the financial statements for the first quarter of 2024.

First-quarter 2024 highlights
During first-quarter 2024, the CMA CGM Group delivered a robust performance. As expected, the start of 2024 proved to be more dynamic for world merchandise trade and demand for cargo shipping, although it was shaped by persistent geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Red Sea region.  

These tensions severely impeded the fluidity of global economic trade during the first quarter, causing a fall in effective available capacity in the shipping sector and a rebound in freight rates compared with the final quarter of 2023.

The disruptions are also producing major operational challenges, to which the Group has responded with agility. However, the Group is keeping a close eye on shipping sector fundamentals, in particular the effects of continued new ship deliveries on the balance between supply and demand, which has an impact on freight rates. The Group also remains focused on cost control and operating discipline.

In this environment, the CMA CGM Group has demonstrated its resilience and, thanks to its financial strength, has continued to invest in the entire transport and logistics value chain, and in decarbonization.  

The CMA CGM Group took a major step forward in its strategy to develop its logistics operations by closing the acquisition of the entire share capital of Bolloré Logistics in late February. This decisive transaction means that the new entity combining CEVA and Bolloré Logistics will become one of the world's top five logistics operators, and represents the largest acquisition in the Group's history.  

The first quarter of 2024 also saw CMA CGM and its partners extend OCEAN Alliance, the world's largest network of maritime services, until 2032. OCEAN Alliance launched "DAY 8" in April, an enhanced offering designed to serve its customers even better. CMA CGM is also continuing to innovate to reward its customers' regularity and support them through SEA REWARD, the first loyalty program designed for shipping customers.  

The Group is also expanding further in the media sector, and in March signed a promise with the Altice France group in order to acquire the entire share capital of Altice Media.

Following deteriorated market conditions experienced in the fourth-quarter of 2023, the first quarter of 2024 was shaped by a rebound in spot freight rates, mainly due to disruptions in the Red Sea region. The resulting longer journey times via the Cape of Good Hope have weighed on available shipping capacity amid a rebound in demand.  

Revenue stood at USD 11.8 billion in the first quarter of 2024, driven mostly by the Group’s maritime shipping business. EBITDA totaled USD 2.4 billion, 30.3% lower than in first-quarter 2023. EBITDA margin came in at 20.2%, down 6.8 points.

In all, 5.6 million TEUs were carried in the first quarter of 2024, up 11.7% from the prior-year period. The increase is due to stronger-than-expected world merchandise trade and demand for cargo shipping, driven by a rebound in consumption and inventory rebuilding following 2023 lows.

Consolidated revenue from maritime shipping operations amounted to USD 7.9 billion over the quarter, down 11.4% year on year. EBITDA totaled USD 1.9 billion, 35.8% lower than in first-quarter 2023. EBITDA margin came in at 24.8%, down 9.4 points. Average revenue per TEU amounted to USD 1,400, down 20.7% year-on-year.

In the first quarter, the Group's logistics activities continued to grow, boosted in particular by the consolidation of Bolloré Logistics from February 29 and good momentum in Contract Logistics, Finished Vehicle Logistics and Ground, especially in Europe.

Revenue from logistics activities totaled USD 3.9 billion in the first quarter of the year. EBITDA stood at USD 361 million, a 6.9% increase on first-quarter 2023.

Revenue from other activities (port terminals, CMA CGM Air Cargo, media etc.) increased by 45.4% to USD 600 million. EBITDA rose by 43.6% to USD 79 million, driven by the inclusion of Port Liberty in the scope of consolidation and the recovery in volumes for the terminals business.