12 October 2023 (Lloyd's List) - CMA CGM has stamped a new identity on the two terminals at New York/New Jersey that it acquired earlier this year from Global Container Terminals.

The carrier said it would embark on an “ambitious” $600m upgrade of the facilities, which it is now calling Port Liberty New York and Port Liberty Bayonne.

Combined capacity at the two terminals is set to increase by 80%, allowing larger ships to call and creating up to 1,000 new jobs, CMA CGM said.

“In partnership with the state of New York and the state of New Jersey, the investment will also be used to enhance rail and road infrastructure surrounding the multi-user terminals to create more direct access to freight rail lines and major highways, thereby aiding in Port Liberty’s decarbonisation efforts by limiting the number of trucks needed for shipping and transportation,” it said.

“Together, these efforts support also CMA CGM’s goal of reducing emissions and greenhouse gases and becoming net zero by 2050.”

CMA CGM said Port Liberty New York and Port Liberty Bayonne would provide flagship terminal operations on the US east coast

“With an expanded northeast footprint, these terminals will provide customers with heightened access to one of the world’s largest economic regions, improving its global network resiliency and enhancing its service,” it said.

CMA CGM’s US portfolio now includes seven terminals, including the Fenix Marine Services terminal in Los Angeles that it bought back in 2021.

“The acquisition of these two terminals is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to the US market in building more resilient and more sustainable supply chains,” said CMA CGM chief executive Rodolphe Saadé.

“It is a major step forward in our strategy of developing and modernising infrastructures here and around the world. Port Liberty New York and Port Liberty Bayonne on the east coast, together with FMS on the west coast now rank as CMA CGM’s flagship terminals in North America. They will enable us to provide a better service offering to our customers.”