CMA CGM signs five-year $110m AI deal

French liner giant CMA CGM has teamed with compatriot tech firm Mistral AI, opening EUR100m ($110m) over the next five years to deploy bespoke AI solutions for the group’s shipping, logistics, and media activities.

As part of the agreement, a dedicated team of Mistral AI’s specialists will be based at CMA CGM’s headquarters in Marseille, as well as at Grand Central—the headquarters of CMA Media. 

For the shipping and logistics businesses, the focus will be on streamlining and personalising the customer experience through solutions such as automated claims processing, intelligent e-commerce tools, and advanced document management systems.

Rodolphe Saadé, chairman and CEO of CMA CGM, said: “This partnership with Mistral AI marks a decisive step in the transformation of CMA CGM through artificial intelligence. Together, we will develop tailored solutions to reinvent our businesses, from maritime transport to logistics and media, with tangible benefits for our customers and our employees. With Mistral AI, we are choosing a French technology leader that combines excellence, digital sovereignty, and a strong sense of responsibility, to build an artificial intelligence that serves both our performance and our values.”

CMA CGM and Mistral AI are committed to accelerating the adoption of generative AI (GenAI) across the group. 

“Building on the rise of the first large language models (LLMs), the emergence of more autonomous agents paves the way for new forms of automation and more natural, context-aware interactions. This breakthrough technology is set to fundamentally reshape how teams operate—automating repetitive tasks, boosting productivity, and freeing up time for higher-value, strategic work,” CMA CGM stated in a release. 

CMA CGM has committed €500 million to AI, forging strategic partnerships—notably with Google and Perplexity—and investing in companies such as PoolSide and Dataiku. The 2023 launch of Kyutai, a nonprofit research lab co-founded by Saadé, further reflects the group’s commitment to advancing AI.