CMA CGM triples profit as Q3 freight rates and cargo volumes rise

CMA CGM, one of the world's leading shipping companies, announced a significant surge in third-quarter earnings on Wednesday, driven by higher freight rates and a surge in container volumes. As the third-largest liner operator globally, CMA CGM reported a net profit of $2.32 billion for the period, up from $760 million a year earlier.

Revenue for the quarter jumped 31.1% to $18.4 billion, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) climbed 61.6% to approximately $4.8 billion. The company's EBITDA margin expanded to 25.9%, a 4.9 percentage point increase compared to the third quarter of 2025.

Commenting on the impressive results, CMA CGM's Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saade noted that the company delivered a strong performance in an uncertain geopolitical environment, thanks to the momentum in its maritime activities and the growing volumes of cargo handled. During the quarter, the company carried 6.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), a 5.5% increase from the previous year.

This growth outpaced the broader market and ranked among CMA CGM's strongest volume increases in recent years. Shipping revenue rose 37.3% to $12.3 billion, significantly faster than cargo volumes, with average revenue per TEU increasing by 30% to $1,891.

CMA CGM attributed its strong performance to resilient demand fueled by companies rebuilding inventories amid geopolitical uncertainty, investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure and data centers, and growth in clean technologies and electric vehicles, particularly in China. The company continued to operate services through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal despite persistent tensions in the Middle East, which continued to disrupt shipping routes and global supply chains.

CMA CGM noted that while logistics growth was boosting sales, it failed to translate into stronger margins, with the logistics division's EBITDA falling 14.4% to $366 million and its EBITDA margin narrowing to 6.7%.