CMA CGM Net Profit More Than Triples to $2.32 Billion as Freight Rates Surge

French shipping giant CMA CGM more than tripled its third-quarter net profit as higher container freight rates and strong cargo volumes boosted earnings amid ongoing disruptions to global shipping routes in the Middle East.

The Marseille-based group reported Friday that net income attributable to the group climbed to $2.32 billion in the third quarter of 2026, up from $760 million a year earlier, an increase of approximately 205%.

Revenue rose 31.1% to $18.4 billion, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) jumped 61.6% to $4.78 billion. The group’s EBITDA margin improved to 25.9%, compared with 21% in the same period last year.

The strong results were driven primarily by CMA CGM’s container shipping business, which benefited from sustained demand and elevated freight rates as Middle East tensions continued to disrupt maritime trade routes and global supply chains.

CMA CGM carried 6.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) during the quarter, up 5.5% year-over-year, outperforming the broader market.

Shipping revenue surged 37.3% to $12.3 billion, supported by a 30% increase in average revenue per container to $1,891 per TEU. The division generated $4 billion in EBITDA, compared with $2.2 billion a year earlier, lifting its EBITDA margin to 32.4%.

The figures underscore how ongoing disruptions in the Middle East are reshaping the container shipping market, supporting freight rates even as carriers face longer voyages, higher operating costs and changes to established trade routes.

“In an uncertain geopolitical environment, the Group has delivered a strong performance in the third quarter,” said Rodolphe Saadé, chairman and CEO of CMA CGM.

Saadé pointed to growing shipping volumes, positive results from the company’s terminals business and expansion across air freight and logistics as evidence of the group’s ability to adapt to changing market conditions.

CMA CGM said global trade remained resilient despite the geopolitical uncertainty and higher energy prices. The company attributed demand growth partly to businesses rebuilding inventories, increased investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure and data centers, and strong demand for clean technologies and electric vehicles, particularly in China.

Outside container shipping, the group’s logistics business reported revenue of $5.46 billion, up 19.2% from a year earlier. However, EBITDA declined 14.4% to $366 million, reflecting difficult conditions in freight forwarding and continued weakness in the automotive sector.

The company also continued investing in its fleet and global port infrastructure.

During the quarter, CMA CGM welcomed the first ships in a new series of 24,000-TEU LNG-powered containerships, including the CMA CGM NOTRE DAME, CMA CGM PANTHEON and CMA CGM ORSAY. The vessels are deployed on the company’s flagship Asia-Europe FAL service and rank among the world’s largest LNG-powered containerships.

CMA CGM also expanded its terminal network through a partnership involving Terminal 4 at Saudi Arabia’s Port of Jeddah and the acquisition of a 49% stake in Morocco’s Nador Container Terminal.

Looking ahead, CMA CGM expects strong container shipping demand to continue over the coming months, with freight rates that have been rising since the second quarter supporting the business.

However, the company warned that the outlook remains uncertain as geopolitical tensions, changing trade policies and disruptions to shipping routes continue to affect global cargo flows.

“Tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt shipping routes and weigh on operating costs,” CMA CGM said in its outlook.

The company said its diversified operations, flexible shipping network and strong balance sheet would help it navigate the uncertain trading environment.

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