CMA CGM, Google to partner on AI integration

Both companies have announced a strategic partnership to accelerate AI integration across CMA CGM’s operations worldwide. The companies said "every program and tool developed within the partnership" will be designed to assist users in their decision-making processes across several key workflows.

Google’s AI division is a leader in the space and CMA CGM hopes the collaboration with help its decision-making process.

This partnership aims to enchance efficiency, responsiveness and adaptability to market fluctuations and disruptions, resulting in faster and more responsive customer service.

As part of the collaboration, CMA CGM will actively seek to optimise vessel routes, container handling and inventory management to ensure efficient and timely delivery of goods while minimising its costs and carbon footprint.

The Group’s logistics arm CEVA Logistics will focus on warehouse ‘smart management’, aimed at improving operations at its 10.3M m² of warehouse space. The management tool, built on Google technology, will allow CEVA to better anticipate and plan operations based on enhanced volume and demand forecasting and is part of CMA CGM’s overall strategy to transform its business through AI innovation. It follows key moves such as the Group’s investment in Mistral AI, PoolSide and Dataiku, as well as the launch of open science lab, Kyutai. 

Group chairman Rodolphe Saadé said, “I am pleased to announce this global partnership between the CMA CGM Group and Google to accelerate AI adoption across our operations. This collaboration aligns with our digital roadmap and investments, marking a crucial step in our transformation strategy. Together with Google, we will lead the digital revolution in shipping, logistics and media, optimise our processes, and enhance our competitive edge. We are committed to driving innovation with tangible benefits for our staff members and our customers.”

The partnership will also extend to CMA Media, providing an edge for CMA in the media landscape. Google’s AI expertise in this field will help CMA Media develop critical tools to assist its media team in their day-to-day work, translating documents, generating media snippets for social networks, or digitising and referencing archives from articles, photos or videos.

Google chief executive Sundar Pichai said, “By combining CMA CGM’s deep expertise in shipping and logistics with Google’s AI tools and secure infrastructure, we can help CMA CGM digitally transform its own operations and those of its customers. This partnership is a prime example of how AI can assist employees, improve outcomes for customers and revolutionise industries.”