| Biggest French ship feted by French president in biggest French port |
| His:515 Updatetime:2015-10-12 |
Biggest French ship feted by French president in biggest French port
THE 18,000-TEU CMA CGM Bougainville, the biggest containership flying the French flag, was inaugurated by French President Francois Hollande in Le Havre the biggest port in France.
The inauguration took place in the presence of Jacques R Saad, chairman and CEO of CMA CGM Group, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, Transport Minister Alain Vidalies and many French parliamentarians.
Today, nearly 90 per cent of traded goods in the world transit by sea. Maritime transportation plays a key role in this sector - as well as in the world's economy, said the company statement.
The CMA CGM Bougainville is deployed on the French Asia Line (FAL) - a CMA CGM emblematic shipping service - between Europe and Asia and is the symbol of trades between these two continents, it.
"This vessel is also a reflection of the CMA CGM Group: familial, dynamic, innovative, and environmental friendly. A leading ship for a worldwide leading shipping group," said the statement.
In his speech, Mr Saad said CMA CGM knows of a sustainable growth - reinforced by several pioneer projects around the world and with innovative developments such as the Traxens technology transforming standard containers into smart, connected objects. The CMA CGM Bougainville is the first containership in the world having such technology, he said.
He also highlighted the CMA CGM's commitments as an employer, to towards the society and for the environment.
President Hollande paid tribute to CMA CGM and Mr Saad's success: "It's a great success. A success for you, your family, your staff members. A success for France."
He also outlined CMA CGM's foresight: "You have always been one step ahead."
President Hollande concluded his speech by saluting the group's expansion benefiting French growth. "Such ingenuity and work are strengths for France. We must be one step ahead: you set an example, an example to follow."
"I knew him well. He was very cheery, gregarious, I would say charismatic," he said.
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