CMA CGM and IBM Sign New Five Year Services Agreement

Partnership links world's third largest shipping company with world leading technology services company

News provided by

Feb 15, 2012, 10:30 ET

MARSEILLE, France, Feb. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- After five years of working together through a joint subsidiary, CMA CGM Group and IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced a new strategic partnership.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090416/IBMLOGO )

Under the terms of the five-year agreement, IBM will provide industry-specific expertise in new technologies such as cloud computing and analytics, and support CMA CGM's growth by delivering superior quality information technology services that will help CMA CGM significantly reduce costs.

The IT teams from the two companies will be merged into a new subsidiary, CMA Systems, which will have an equally represented governance structure and report directly to Jacques Saade, chairman and chief executive officer of CMA CGM. The new services and technologies developed by the new subsidiary, along with its unified organization, will enable CMA CGM to generate substantial savings in 2012, CMA CGM officials said.

"Innovative technologies from IBM will help CMA CGM to further improve our customer service. This is one of CMA CGM's key competitive strengths," Mr. Saade said. "The creation of this new partnership with a global market leader is strategic for the Group. This partnership will enable us to offer our customers innovative, purpose-designed IT solutions, while improving our cost discipline."

"This new collaboration will allow us to support CMA CGM in driving efficiencies and increasing innovation with new technologies such as cloud and analytics," said Alain Benichou, IBM France president.

Operating out of more than 650 offices and agencies in more than 150 countries, CMA CGM is one of the first global shipping operators to control the entire logistics chain, from inland waterway transport to port facilities and on-land logistics.

About CMA CGM
CMA CGM is the world's third largest container shipping company and is ranked number one in France. Operating a fleet of 390 vessels, the Group serves more than 400 ports around the world. In 2010, it carried more than 9 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units). With a presence on every continent and in 150 countries through its network of 650 agencies and branch offices, the Group employs 18,000 people worldwide.

www.cma-cgm.com

About IBM
For more information about IBM Global Services, please visit: www.ibm.com/services.

Contacts

Sandrine Durupt
IBM France
06 70 21 82 10
[email protected]

Darcy Hansen
IBM Communications
917-472-3692
[email protected]

SOURCE IBM