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CMA CGM BOUGAINVILLE A FRENCH GIANT OF THE SEAS

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Editorial and publication Director: Tanya Saadé Zeenny Editors: Marianne Lacroix, Eric Zuber Editing: Hervé Gallet Coordination: Olivia Simonetti Graphic Design: Agence La Créa Printing and distribution supervision: Christine Nunes Contributors: Sophie Beau, Isabelle Billet, Francois Friboulet, Mohamed Khouas, Erik Meltzer, Luc Portier, Eric Sagnier, Nicolas Sartini, Emilian Stere, Hillebrand Photo credits: CMA CGM, Shutterstock, Hillebrand, Thierry Dosogne, Philip Plisson Number of issues: 22,000

ISN: 1287-8863

printed on paper manufactured using a minimum of 60% recycled fi bre and 40% virgin pulp from certifi ed sources.

CMA CGM Marseilles Head Offi ce4, quai d’Arenc13235 Marseille cedex 02 FranceTel: +33 (0)4 88 91 90 00 - www.cma-cgm.com

FOCUSCMA CGM BOUGAINVILLE A FRENCH GIANT

FOUNDATIONTHE CMA CGM FOUNDATION CELEBRATES TEN YEARS

GROUP LIFEREACTIVITY AND PRECISION: WATCHWORDS OF A PORT STOPOVER

FACE TO FACEJF HILLEBRAND GROUP: IN VINO VERITAS

THE EXPERTSSHIP MANAGER: AT THE HEART OF MARITIME OPERATIONS

CMA CGMGroup MagazineAutumn 2015

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The inauguration of the CMA CGM Group’s new fl agship CMA CGM BOUGAINVILLE in Le Havre, in the presence of Mr François Hollande, President of the French Republic, is another bold milestone in the history of the Group.

This vessel is a symbol for us and for all of our partners.

For our customers, it is a symbol of our energy, our boldness and our commitment. It demonstrates that we always strive to off er the best solutions for our 6,300 clients, from large companies to small and medium enterprises, as we transport their goods all over the world. The ship is positioned on the French Asia Line (FAL), one of the Group’s emblematic lines linking French ports to Asia and the Middle East.

The CMA CGM BOUGAINVILLE also symbolises environmentally responsible shipping. With its cutting-edge technology, the vessel is a model of energy effi ciency. Only a few weeks before the Paris climate conference, COP 21, we are demonstrating our concrete contributions and constant commitment to protect the environment and fi ght climate change. Furthermore, the ship is equipped with world-class innovative TRAXENS technology that transforms containers into smart connected objects.

Finally, this ship represents our Group, a growing French company and a major player in the world’s global economy, founded on a family model with long-term vision. It is anchored in the path we’ve taken ever since Jacques Saadé created the company in 1978. The inauguration embodies this long-term vision that will continue in the future, reaffi rming our position as a world leader in shipping.

Like the other ships in the series bearing the names of great explorers, Jules Verne, Marco Polo or Vasco de Gama, this vessel is named after Bougainville, the fi rst French captain to sail around the world.

The name also pays tribute to exploration and the spirit of conquest, just as CMA CGM does.

We should all be very proud.

THIS SHIP REPRESENTS OUR GROUP,A GROWING FRENCH COMPANY ANDA MAJOR PLAYER IN THE WORLD’S GLOBAL ECONOMY

Tanya SAADÉ ZEENNY Executive Offi cer

4Autumn 2015

CMA CGMBOUGAINVILLEA FRENCH GIANTOF THE SEAS

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The fi rst train in history was invented 211 years ago. The fi rst gas-powered car drove 132 years ago. The fi rst plane fl ew 112 years ago. But the fi rst ship in history sailed more

than 120,000 years ago. Shipping as a mode of transport has prevailed throughout history and remains essential today. More than 90% of goods worldwide are shipped by boat! This fi gure demonstrates the global importance of companies specialising in maritime transport. “Without the possibility of transporting large quantities of goods at a low price, the globalised economy would not be as we know it today,” remarks Jean-François Tallec, Institutional Advisor on Maritime Policy for the CMA CGM Group. Former French Secretary General for the Sea, he believes that the increased use of containers, quicker stopover times and regular services reduce stocks and enable just-in-time production, both of which are benefi cial to companies and the economy in general, especially in France.

On the CMA CGM Group’s 2015 agenda, 6 October has been underlined in red for several months. This is the date for the inauguration of its new fl agship… and not just any ship, but the largest container ship sailing under the French fl ag: theCMA CGM Bougainville. With her extraordinary characteristics – 398m long, 54m wide, 16m draft, 18,000 TEU capacity – this giant is on the scale of the challenges of today’s commercial trade. The CMA CGM Bougainville symbolises the dynamism of the Group, ranked fi rst in France and third worldwide for container shipping.

THE CMA CGM GROUP’S NEW GIANT OF THE SEAS HAS A CAPACITY OF 18,000 TEUs, MAKING IT THE LARGEST VESSEL IN THE WORLD SAILING UNDER THE FRENCH FLAG.WITH ITS LAUNCH IN OCTOBER, IN THE PRESENCE OF THE FRENCH PRESIDENT,CMA CGM PROVES ITS STATUS ONCE AGAIN AS A FRENCH COMPANY IN THE UPPER ECHELONS OF WORLD TRADE AND PLACES MARITIME TRANSPORT AT THE HEARTOF CURRENT EVENTS ONCE MORE.

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CMA CGMOWNS 23 SHIPSSAILING UNDER

THE FRENCH FLAG

For CMA CGM, everything started on 13 September 1978, in Marseilles. On that day, Jacques R. Saadé, a fi rm believer in the

future of container shipping, decided to create his own company. In 1980, the CMA buys its fi rst ship, the Ville d’Orient, in full ownership. It sails under the French fl ag on one line between Beirut, Latakia, Marseilles and Livorno.

In 1999, CMA merges with Compagnie Générale Maritime (CGM), owner of the legendary French shipping companies “Compagnie Générale Transatlantique” and “Messageries Maritimes.” One year later, the newly formed CMA CGM Group becomes one of the top 10 shipping companies worldwide.

In 2011, the Group, loyal to the city where everything began, decides to set up its head offi ce in Marseilles, in a tower built on daring lines. The tower, 147 meters high, is now a beacon and symbol of the company’s energy and economic ambition.

465 ships, 80 of which are in full ownership; 170 shipping lines; 655 offi ces and agencies in over 160 countries; emblematic companies that are part of the Group’s portfolio such as CNC in Asia, ANL in Oceania, US Lines in the United States, MacAndrews and OPDR in Europe and Comanav in North Africa: all these elements make it possible for CMA CGM to off er its customers a complete door-to-door multi-service worldwide shipping solution. CMA CGM is one of the very fi rst shipping companies in the world to manage the entire logistical chain.

It is this history and development benefi ting from the “French touch” that sums up the Group’s newest ship in the fl eet. With a capacity of 18,000 TEU, one of the largest current capacities for a container ship, the giant sails under the French fl ag. “CMA CGM owns 23 ships sailing under the French fl ag,” explains François Leray, the Group’s Manager of Ships Outfi tting under RIF(French Flag Register) fl ag. “This means that in addition to a French captain and a certain number of French crew members, each ship adheres to current French regulations.”

A FRENCH ECONOMIC LEADER

To be continued on page 08

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■ The fl oor to

In a sector where competition is immediately international, CMA CGM has, since 1978, known how to chart its course through initiative and

innovation. Faced with an uncertain market, a strategy of competitiveness that ensures the long-term success of economic activity protects the profi tability of ships and jobs, whether at sea or on land.

I am delighted to announce that CMA CGM remains one of the top three container shipping companies in the world and gives impulse to ship owners worldwide that compete in this very open sector. Along with the CMA CGM Jules Verne, the CMA CGM Bougainville is a wonderful example of this momentum, with its increased capacity of 18,000 TEU, its technological innovation and its impressive size.

CMA CGM is thus doing its part in a market restructuring movement that has been completed on the East-West lines that make up the French-Asia Line. The Group is simultaneously initiating promising developments for the North-South lines.

These strategic choices are induced by the global evolution of maritime shipping, and will create jobs both on board as well as at the Group’s head offi ce in Marseilles. I think this is a very important point.

Additionally, optimised navigation management and innovative technologies model a new way

of operating that integrates the sustainable development requirements. Against the background of climate change, it is important to think in an international manner to fight against global warming and the destruction of our natural resources by bringing together new ships and logistical investments that promote multi-modality. CMA CGM has received well-known awards and recognition that, in my opinion, are invitations to keep advancing in this domain.

The French government has done its part in this revolution of tools and mentalities by supporting the company. Better fi scal conditions for investments in the latest fi nancial law, a sustained budgetary eff ort to maintain French jobs and simplifi ed regulations are all approaches that will allow the company to excel in its industry.

More than just a partnership, this is a lasting commitment to the future and one in which we all must participate.

■ ALAIN VIDALIESMinister of Statefor Transport,Marine Aff airs and Fisheries

“ CMA CGM:SUPPORTTHE REVOLUTIONOF MARITIMETRANSPORTSERVICES”

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For the Group’s 6,000 customers, the fact that a part of the CMA CGM fleet belongs to the French Flag Register (RIF) is a clear advantage. According to the 2014 “Port State Control” ranking, based on criteria such as adherence to social and technical standards and safety and sailor training standards, France ranks number 1 worldwide. France outranks Denmark (ranked 7th) the United States (9th), Germany (15th) and Switzerland (41st). Last year, not a single CMA CGM ship sailing under the French fl ag was stopped for non-compliance with regulations. “We want to do our part in making the French fl ag a model of excellence by using ships that are examples of safety, performance and environmental protection,” adds François Leray.

With the North Sea, the English Channel, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, France is surrounded on four sides by the sea, and has 3,427 km of coastline. Metropolitan France has many places for CMA CGM to use as arrival, transit and departure ports. With more than 40 shipping lines, the Group is an effi cient and unparalleled partner for its French customers, including both large corporations and small and medium enterprises looking to export their production.

In 2014, approximately 6 million tons of various goods took to the sea, leaving from Marseilles-Fos, Le Havre, and Dunkirk, headed for international destinations.

A leading shipping company, CMA CGM is expected to benefi t from a slightly improved economic climate. According to INSEE calculations, activity in the eurozone maintained its growth rate of +0.4% in the fi rst quarter of 2015. The GDP is expected to grow at a rate similar to the second quarter (+0.4 %), before increasing slightly from now until the end of the year, thanks to the support of domestic demand. In terms of annual averages, GDP growth is expected to reach +1.4% in 2015, after an increase of +0.9% in 2014. Production is expected

to be driven mainly by increases in household c o n s u m p t i o n a n d productive investments. In this expected bright spell in the French and European economies, the CMA CGM Bougainville’s entrance into the fl eet is a signifi cant marker of renewed ambition and confi dence.

When transporting classic, dry and reefer containers (specifi cally designed to transport temperature-controlled goods) full of luxury products, cosmetics, wines and spirits, pharmaceutical products and aeronautics material, all “made in France”,CMA CGM contributes to exporting French savoir-faire all over the world. Even the Group’s employees stationed abroad play a signifi cant role.

“WE WANT TO DO OUR PART IN MAKING THE

FRENCH FLAG A MODEL OF EXCELLENCE BY USING SHIPS

THAT ARE EXAMPLES OF SAFETY, PERFORMANCE AND

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ”

AN INAUGURATION ATTENDED BY THE FRENCH REPUBLIC’S PRESIDENT, FRANCOIS HOLLANDEOn October 6th, 2015, the CMA CGM Bougainville was offi cially inaugurated by the President of the French Republic, Francois Hollande, in Le Havre at a ceremony attended by 500 guests. A symbolic event, it was also a great tribute to the Group which was cited as an example of French success in the maritime sector and ports which contributes to France’s development in the world.

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CREATING JOBS AT SEA AND ON LAND

The Group employs 22,000 people throughout the world and close to 4,700 in France, 2,400 of whom in Marseilles, (making it the city’s largest private employer). CMA CGM also contributes to the economic life of Le Havre. Financially engaged in the management and organisation of France’s top port, CMA CGM contributes greatly in making shipping an important source of employment, not only in Le Havre itself, (with close to 500 CMA CGM employees), but also throughout northern France and the rest of the country. The development margin is still enormous: despite an increase of 2.6% (2.55 million containers) the Normandy port is ranked only 60th worldwide, far behind Shanghai (35 million containers), Rotterdam (12.3 million) and Hamburg (9.7 million). This is due to its geographical location, competition, customs policies, and lack of river connections and multi-modal platforms, says Eric Meltzer, CMA CGM Group’s Sales Director for France and François Friboulet, Customer Service Manager. According to them, 50% of the volume of French goods is handled in Rotterdam and Antwerp.

For companies in eastern France, it is easier to reach these ports through river routes, rather than going all the way to the west coast.

This area benefi ts from concrete advantages that could be enhanced through a voluntaristic maritime policy. It all begins with training. “In France, 300,000 people are directly employed in the maritime sector and this number could double in 15 years,” explains J e a n - F r a n ç o i s Tallec. CMA CGM, wh ich employs 500 French sailors, collaborates with French merchant navy schools. “In 2014, 114 students came aboard our ships to perfect their training,” says François Leray.

Because CMA CGM has always considered people to be one of their historic values, theCMA CGM Academy was born. The Academy is dedicated to training in all aspects of the shipping industry, as well as in other subjects such as people management, budgeting and project management.

In France, 300,000 people are directly employed in the maritime sector and this number could double in 15 years.

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A STRATEGY INTEGRATINGRESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

The vast majority of goods sent around the world are shipped by sea. The maritime sector is the most environmentally friendly mode of transport with 70 times less pollution than an aeroplane!

Preservation of the environment is one of the key elements of CMA CGM Group’s development strategy, and CMA Ships was recognised for its corporate eff orts in 2013 by the Bureau Veritas and received ISO 14001 certifi cation. This offi cial standard defi nes an Environmental Management System based on continual improvement of environmental performance and pollution prevention. For CMA CGM, means of action in this domain include reducing CO2 emissions, developing inter-modal transport, using eco-containers, installing measuring and monitoring systems and implementing procedures that protect biodiversity. These actions have a very concrete result: since 2005, CMA CGM has reduced CO2 emissions by 50% per container. Furthermore, CMA CGM Group’s commitment to the environment can be seen in its partnerships with international bodies such as the Clean Cargo Group, the Charte Bleue

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French shippers organisation, the Green Flag Initiative (California) and the Fair Winds Charter (Hong Kong).

The Group regularly receives awards that highlight its expertise and its commitment to cleaner, greener ships. The entirety of the Group’s fl eet continually benefi ts from technical evolutions that help preserve the environment and the CMA CGM Bougainville is once again the fl ag bearer of the Group’s policy. Its optimised hull design, for example, noticeably improves the ship’s propulsion in the water. The forecastle maximises the use of space on board and ensures better visibility from the bridge. This also makes the ship more resistant to torque. With this layout, fuel tanks are placed under the aftercastle, protected by the double hull of the ship.

The CMA CGM Bougainville features additional lashing bridges that support containers raised to three heights, and external lashing that reinforces the security of containers.

The Group is fully conscious of the fact that shipping is an extraordinary tool for a country’s economy, and the new CMA CGM Bougainville is a vessel dedicated to its customers. The ship is a giant of the sea loyal to the social and environmental values of the Group, and it aims to defend the colours and interests of France throughout the world.

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French ports don’t often receive good publicity. Too often, ports are seen as places of industrial pollution, recurring social

confl ict or unwanted traffi c. All too often, we talk about the risks and dangers of globalisation and not enough about the incredible opportunities it offers in terms of economic development, business activity and job creation.

Le Havre has decided to honour its history and assume its role as an industrial and port city. The routes of globalisation are by sea and the key tools of globalisation are containers. This makes Le Havre France’s leading port in this domain. Since research centres and production facilities are all along these routes, Le Havre depends on the development of multi-modal transport and the attractiveness of its port. The big metropolises of the future will be world cities, with a maritime interface at their disposal and great political, cultural, economic and fi nancial infl uence. Because we believe that Paris has all these advantages to keep its rank as a world city, Le Havre counts on the Seine as a privileged link with the capital and the Parisian basin, for which Le Havre is the natural port. This is the reason for pooling capabilities with Rouen and Paris through HAROPA.

Le Havre must count on its people, make policies and equip itself with the means to assume this role. Le Havre is a city made up of quality men and women, with a long tradition of maritime and port professions. It is a port community with the same mission at heart. Policies involve high-level training that aims to bring together on one city centre campus both technical and logistical training, and courses in management

and international trading. Means include accrued customs capacities, property reserves to further expand its “Cold” fl eet and security equipment that is groundbreaking in France.

Finally, to grow and prosper, we need loyal and trustworthy partners, such as CMA CGM.The Group is now the number one shipping company in France and third worldwide, and one of our main partners.

After the CMA CGM Medea in 2006, and the CMA CGM Christophe Colomb four years later, Le Havre had the honour this May, in the presence of the Group’s President Jacques Saadé, of inaugurating the CMA CGM Kerguelen. These container ships are impressive in size and remarkable in environmental performance. Now it is time for the inauguration of its sister ship, theCMA CGM Bougainville, at Le Havre. The ship i s n o t o n l y o n e o fCMA CGM’s fl agships, but also the largest container ship sailing under the French fl ag and the largest French ship in total length.

The Bougainville is a symbol of hope and optimism in maritime transport and the global economy. Le Havre is extremely proud to inaugurate this vessel.

It is a sign of great trust in Le Havre: trust in its capabilities as a port, in the competence of its port employees, and in the economic future of the city.

■ EDOUARD PHILIPPE �Deputy and Mayor of Le Havre

■ The fl oor to

LE HAVRE IS A CITYMADE UP OF QUALITY MENAND WOMEN, WITH A LONGTRADITION OF MARITIMEAND PORT PROFESSIONS

To grow and prosper,we need loyal and trustworthy partners

14Autumn 2015

The CMA CGM Corporate Foundation was created ten years ago. Soon afterwards, the organisation chose to focus on working on behalf of children in need. Over the course of ten years of social and humanitarian work, the Foundation has fi nanced more than 140 projects. “Through the actions

that began in 2005, Jacques Saadé and the CMA CGM Group have demonstrated their commitment to social responsibility, staying true to their values: initiative, boldness, imagination and integrity,” explains Naïla Saadé, President of the Foundation.

In concrete terms, these aims are expressed through the commitment on the part of the teams in France, the PACA region and Lebanon to improving the daily lives of children in need living with a disability, a long illness or in extremely diffi cult circumstances. 

In 2007 the Foundation Prize was created to honour the most innovative charities working on behalf of children. To go even further with its eff orts, in 2013 the Foundation decided to launch an annual

FOR 10 YEARS NOW, THE CMA CGM CORPORATE FOUNDATION HAS BEEN COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE DAILY LIVES OF CHILDREN IN NEED LIVING WITH A DISABILITY, A LONG-TERM ILLNESS OR IN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES. AT THE EVENT IN JUNE CELEBRATING THE ANNIVERSARY, CHILDREN WERE ONCE AGAINTHE MAIN FOCUS

THE CMA CGM FOUNDATION CELEBRATES TEN YEARS

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FOUNDATION

call for projects to provide fi nancial support to charities working on behalf of children in need in France and Lebanon. “The fi rst three years of this call for projects resulted in our funding around thirty initiatives that contribute to the personal development and fulfi lment of children living with disabilities or illnesses or who come from disadvantaged backgrounds,” adds Naïla Saadé.

At the same time, since 2012 the CMA CGM Group has made a portion of its logistics capacity available to the Foundation as part of a large-scale humanitarian transportation programme called «Containers of Hope». Conducted in partnership with French NGOs (Doctors Without Borders, Action Against Hunger, Handicap International and the Red Cross), this operation has helped transport thousands of tonnes of foodstuff s for combating child malnutrition, medical equipment

and sanitation equipment. Initially limited to Africa, the «Containers of Hope» project has now been extended to the entire world.

To celebrate ten years of existence, the Foundation naturally wished to put children front and centre at the event. This is why for nearly a year the CMA CGM head offi ces in Marseille and Beirut have been hosting artistic workshops known as “Kids’ Wednesdays”.

“This project involved around one hundred children from charities in Marseille, the PACA region and Lebanon that were given fi nancial support from the Foundation during its ten years of existence,” notes the President of the Foundation. With painter Gérard Traquandi as the initiative’s sponsor, eleven groups of children living with disabilities, chronic illnesses or coming from disadvantaged backgrounds and three groups of children ofCMA CGM staff members had the chance to decorate miniature Styrofoam containers and demonstrate their creative potential.

These works of art were unveiled on 17 June during a large exhibition at the CMA CGM Tower in Marseilles. Naïla Saadé took this opportunity to reaffi rm the Foundation’s commitment: “The children that honour us with their presence off er a real message of hope. I fully believe that giving these children a future will make the world a better place because these children will soon grow up. The CMA CGM Corporate Foundation will continue to work by their sides in the years to come with the same passion we have demonstrated for the past 10 years.”

✹ Foundation: 2005

✹ President: Naïla Saadé

✹ Areas of activity: Social and humanitarian philanthropy - working for the well-being of children, especially children living with disabilities, long illnesses or who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

✹ Number of charities supported: more than 140 projects fi nanced through donations and an annual call for projects.

✹ Containers of Hope Operation: 300 containers holding 2,400 tonnes of humanitarian equipment transported for free since 2012 on the CMA CGM shipping lines, provided to Doctors Without Borders, Action Against Hunger, Handicap International and the French Red Cross.

THE CMA CGM CORPORATE FOUNDATION IN BRIEF

More information atfondation.cma-cgm.com

16Autumn 2015

REACTIVITY AND PRECISION: WATCHWORDS OFA PORT STOPOVERA COMPANY LIKE CMA CGM MUST ORGANISE STOPOVERSAS EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE TO ENSURE FAST SHIPPINGAND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION.

Although a commercial ship spends the majority of its time navigating the high seas, the most important moments are

its stopovers. Whether cargo is being loaded or unloaded, all operations must be carried out with speed and precision. For a giant container ship like the Bougainville, with a capacity of 18,000 TEU, each call in a port is extremely important. “Our objective is always to minimise the amount of wasted time,” explains Eric Sagnier, CMA CGM Group’s Agency & Port Operations Director for French terminals.

Le Havre is the number 1 port in France in activity volume and therefore is an unparalleled stopover. It is the beginning and end of the FAL (French Asia Line) line linking Europe and Asia, and the transhipment port to the United States and the Caribbean. Le Havre is particularly well staff ed and organised, so that ships are docked for the least amount of time possible. When the CMA CGM Bougainville and her sister ship, the CMA CGM Kerguelen, make stopovers in this port, CMA CGM’s Le Havre agency conducts all operations while in constant contact with the team, the Group’s head offi ce in Marseilles, and the stevedore. Three days before the ship arrives, the team makes a preliminary estimate of the

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number of regular and refrigerated containers, as well as those carrying sensitive goods, that need to be handled. The day before the ship arrives in port, this very detailed information is given to the CMA CGM Ship Manager (see article page 22). It is the Ship Manager’s job to create the ship’s loading plan. At the same time, the stevedore is notifi ed of the volumes that need to be loaded, unloaded, and moved onboard the ship. He puts in place the necessary technical and human resources. This will depend on diff erent factors, for example, the number of container gantry cranes stationed along the hull of the ship.

Operations begin as soon as the ship is docked. Like a fi nely orchestrated ballet, seven cranes are put into action at the same time as more than one hundred people begin their work on the dock. Onboard the ship, the captain meets with customs agents. Everything is verifi ed, including the ship’s documents, the crew’s passports and visas, and information about sensitive goods.

Le Havre is a very busy stopover port, (with 25CMA CGM lines passing through each week). Captains, new offi cers, teams and sailors rotate, and ships receive new supplies and spare mechanical parts. Waste is unloaded and fuel tanks are refi lled.

A stopover at Le Havre generally lasts between 16 and 24 hours, and several members of the CMA CGM agency team work in shifts to ensure constant contact between everyone involved. Despite precautions taken and well-organised procedures, incidents can always occur. A technical problem, a crane or reefer malfunction, or a blocked twist-lock attaching the containers can slow down the chain of events. Each potential problem must be fi xed as soon as possible and regular updates on the situation are given throughout the duration of the stopover. “Prepa -rations to set sail begin three hours before the ship’s actual departure,” explains Eric Sagnier. “The last steps are like a countdown, and it is not unusual for the last container to be placed on board right as we’re casting off . But thanks to all our teams’ hard work, we stay right on schedule over 90% of the time.”

As the giant container ship sails away, the port team at its next destination is already preparing for its arrival.

“Our objective is alwaysto minimise the amountof wasted time”

GROUP LIFE

18Autumn 2015

ACCORDING TO THE FAMOUS LATIN EXPRESSION, IN WINE, THERE IS TRUTH! JF HILLEBRAND GROUP BEGAN IN GERMANY IN 1844 SPECIALIZING IN TRANSPORTING WINE AND SPIRITS INTERNATIONALLY. TODAY, THEY EXPORT FRENCH PRODUCTS AND SAVOIR-FAIRE ALL OVER THE WORLD. CMA CGM IS ONE OF THEIR MAIN PARTNERS IN MARITIME SHIPPING.

JF HILLEBRAND GROUP:IN VINO VERITAS

For the company JF Hillebrand Group, shipping has run in the family since 1844. That year, at the young age of only 25, Johann Friedrich Hillebrand created his own

company in Mayence, on the banks of the Rhine. As a shipping agent, he organised for German wine to be sent on barges to ports in the North Sea, such as Hamburg and Amsterdam.

In 1918, the company had only ten employees. But encouraged by the founder’s grandson, JF Hillebrand Group expanded their business on the other side of the ocean and entered into partnerships with the United States. The year 1956 marked a crucial step in JF Hillebrand Group’s journey. The shipping container was invented and the company’s managers found containers to be an ideal way to ship wine under the best conditions.

To further its development, in 1974, the company opened offi ces in 88 countries, establishing an international network. In 2007, they acquired the British company TransOcean Distribution, specialising in the transport of bulk liquid using fl exible tanks installed in the containers.

2010 was another important year for the company that would become JF Hillebrand Group, holding a privileged role as a world expert in transporting wine and spirits. True to its roots and specialities, the company acts as a shipping and customs agent, just as it did in 1844. The Group is not a shipping company. Instead, it manages the transport of precious bottles from vineyards to the consumer on the other side of the world. This business is done through an entire network of partner shipping companies, both on land and at sea. For Emmanuel Olivier, Purchasing Director of Maritime Freight at JF Hillebrand Group, the company’s mission can be boiled down to a very simple formula: “We handle multi-modal logistics

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(shipping, storage, customs clearance) especially for products that are particularly fragile and for which the customs and tax regulations are complex, from producer countries to consumer countries.”

MORE THANONE MILLION BOTTLESOF FRENCH WINEAND SPIRITS ARE EXPORTED EACH DAYJF Hillebrand Group’s considerable experience in the wine shipping world gives the company an excellent reputation in the biggest production zones and among professionals of the industry all over the world. From Grand crus de Bourgogne, to illustrious Bordeaux wines to prestigious champagne, the company ships the liquid treasures in an optimal way, thanks to the savoir-faire of its 2,200 employees (350 of whom in France). JF Hillebrand Group has more than 11,000 customers from all over the world, a presence in 88 countries, and ships more than 400,000 containers each year. These fi gures demonstrate the company’s leading presence in the industry.

“We play an operational role, but above all a consultative role for our customers,” adds Emmanuel Olivier. “Unlike general shipping companies, we specialise exclusively in shipping beer, wine and spirits. Our teams are specially trained in this fi eld of expertise. According to our customer’s needs and instructions and the type of product, as well as climate conditions and distance, we recommend appropriate logistical solutions: standard dry containers, standard containers insulated with VinLiner to protect against thermal shocks and especially the reefer container, which guarantees a constant temperature and is proven to be perfectly adapted to wine conservation.” JF Hillebrand Group purchased Satellite Logistics Group, and today is the world’s leader in international logistics of beer, wine and spirits. With offi ces in Beaune (opened in 1974), Bordeaux (in 1976) and Cognac (end of the 1980’s), its French subsidiary holds a market share of more than 40% and single-handedly manages the shipping of more than one million bottles of wine and spirits per day!

We can only imagine the volumes handled on an international level over the course of a year…

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FACE TO FACE

20Autumn 2015

❚ What are JF Hillebrand Group’s specifi c requirements and priorities when it comes to transporting its products?

Wine, beer and spirits shipped by JF Hillebrand Group are products with a high added value that are fragile and particularly sensitive to variations in temperature and humidity. Also, certain bottles are rare, and sometimes even one of a kind. Our responsibility is to transport these products in optimal conditions so that they remain unaltered. We do not compromise, for example, on the quality and cleanliness of our shipping containers. Security and protection onboard the ship are essential.

❚ What are your expectations for all of your transporters, whether by land, air or sea?

Our expectations are the same for all our partners: reliable service, maintained commitments, fl exibility and adaptability, innovation and creativity, and long-term professional relationships.

❚ How far back does your partnership go withCMA CGM Group?

I would say since forever! To be more precise, we’ve been partners ever since CMA CGM and JF Hillebrand Group were among the fi rst to believe in the potential possibilities of container shipping.So our relationship goes back a long way!

JF HILLEBRAND GROUP: “PREDICTTHE LOGISTICALSOLUTIONSOF TOMORROW”

■ Interview■ EMMANUEL OLIVIER

Purchasing Director of Maritime Freight

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❚ What is your perspective on the partnership?

It is very clear to us on a daily basis thatCMA CGM understands our commercial and operational expectations. Nothing is perfect all the time, of course, but our communication with the line managers is extremely good, which is demonstrated by the increase of our business volume withCMA CGM. Besides off ering us a complete service, CMA CGM is always reactive and fl exible, which are major assets in our successful relationship. In 2014, for the 80th anniversary of the “Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin,” we organised a special shipping with CMA CGM to evaluate the eff ects of maritime shipping on wine. 420 bottles of Grands vins de Bourgogne were shipped around the world for 80 days in a reefer container, under controlled temperature conditions. Test bottles had remained at the Château du Clos de Vougeot in Bourgogne. A comparative tasting proved that controlled maritime transport does not alter the taste qualities of wine.

❚ What are the challenges in the years to come?

We are all aware of the instability and extreme competition in this environment, such as regular changes in lines, changes to ports or turnarounds, suspension of loops, shipyard alliances, or inter-modal problems.

A changing world is a wonderful opportunity to adapt, be fl exible and innovate in order to maintain our quality of service while at the same time always advancing our services further. Innovation and creativity are the keys to JF Hillebrand Group’s success. We always want to adapt and be more reactive to our customers’ needs, in terms of transparency, throughput management, etc. We especially want to predict the logistical solutions of tomorrow, and create these solutions for and with our customers.

This is why we require CMA CGM and our other providers to give us valid orders and rates,a long-lasting commitment guaranteeing space and superb operational quality. Our service requirement, excellence we seek, play a key role in the choice of our partners.

FACE TO FACEFACE T

22Autumn 2015

The CMA CGM Bougainville will be offi cially inaugurated this October. When a ship of that size casts off its moors, 18,000 TEU

containers will take to the sea. The FAL 1 line links Europe and Asia, and its long transoceanic journey lasts 77 days, broken up by 11 stopovers. Each time a container ship arrives in port, every hour counts in order to meet deadlines and customer demands for punctuality.

As soon as a ship is moored in a port, a veritable ballet of cranes begins in order to load and unload dozens or even hundreds of steel shipping containers. Since containers are stacked more than twenty high, creating an impressive wall 400 meters long, one can only imagine the complexity of operations.

Planning all of this is designated to one man: the Ship Manager. Behind his computers, at the heart of the head offi ce in Marseilles, this battle-hardened professional prepares and oversees each

port stopover. The Ship Manager must determine where to place each container on the ship, like a giant 3D puzzle. Containers are placed in the hold or on the deck depending on where they will be delivered. A container that must be unloaded at the next stopover cannot be placed all the way at the back of the ship! “Very powerful software enables us to know what space is available so

that we can best prepare our loading plans. But the closer the stopovers are, the more stressful it gets!”  explains Emilian Stere, who manages the biggest ships in the Group’s fl eet as Ship Manager of the French Asia Line.

Keeping with an aspect unique to the CMA CGM Group, his mission goes far beyond precision, anticipation and management. “Unlike a Ship Planner who is only in charge of the loading plan, a Ship Manager follows the vessel from beginning to end,” adds Emilian. In addition to managing volumes, the Ship Manager supervises the carbon consumption and security settings of the vessel.

SHIP MANAGER: AT THE HEART OFMARITIMEOPERATIONS

AMONG ALL THE POSITIONS WITHIN THE CMA CGM GROUP,THE ROLE OF SHIP MANAGER SETS ITSELF APART FROM THE REST. AT THE HEART OF THE OPERATIONAL ASPECT OF MARITIME TRANSPORT, SHIP MANAGER IS AN ESSENTIAL ROLE THAT ENSURES THAT SHIPS ARE ON TIME AND LOADING IS OPTIMISED

Unlike a Ship Plannerwho is only in charge of the

loading plan, a Ship Manager follows the vessel from

beginning to end

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THE EXPERTS

“Our customers count on us to deliver their products on time. If a ship stays in port for 18 hours instead of 10, that immediately impacts the rest of the trip. The ship then needs to go faster and use more fuel. CMA CGM strongly believes in our environmental approach, which means we travel at an eco-friendly speed.” The Ship Manager is also responsible for placing reefer containers, specialised transport, and sensitive products. All of these factors must be taken into account in the loading plan. A CMA CGM Ship Manager handles all of these details often in real time, over the phone, day or night, all while communicating with terminal managers and ship captains.

“Based on the experience of each of the team members, we follow two or three ships from the same line simultaneously. One of the advantages of this fascinating role is that it is a central position, working with other services of the company such as cargo fl ow or the SSE Department. It requires lots of concentration and serious work, but designing a perfect loading plan with short stopovers is highly satisfying.” For an emblematic line such as the FAL 1, which has the largest CMA CGM ships, the challenge never ends. For a Ship Manager, punctuality and effi ciency go hand in hand.