CMA CGM’s CEO warns that the Strait of Hormuz may not return to normal soon, prompting shipping firms to seek alternative routes amid escalating costs and uncertain geopolitical tensions.
Rodolphe Saade, the chair and chief executive of CMA CGM, has warned against assuming the Strait of Hormuz will simply revert to the way it was before the Iran war, saying shipping firms must plan for a more uncertain future. Speaking to France’s National Assembly economic affairs committee on 9 June, he said it would be ‘unwise’ to expect the waterway to normalise quickly, even if a peace settlement emerges in the coming weeks.
His remarks underline how the conflict has disrupted one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints. CMA CGM, the world’s third-largest container shipping line, has had vessels stranded inside the Gulf since the fighting began, as the route has effectively been shut to much of the traffic that normally depends on it. The Strait of Hormuz handles about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supply, making the stakes far broader than container shipping alone.
Saade said the company would continue to look at alternative routes rather than depend on a single passage that could be vulnerable again. According to his comments to parliament, CMA CGM is already moving cargo by road and rail from more distant ports in order to keep services running across the Gulf region. He said the group is carrying roughly a third of the containers it moved to the Gulf before the war.
The disruption is also carrying a direct financial cost. CMA CGM chief financial officer Ramon Fernandez told the same hearing that the use of alternative routes is expected to add about $300 million to the group’s costs in the first half of the year. The company had 14 vessels trapped inside the Gulf when the conflict started; two have since left, but one of the remaining ships was hit in an attack last month that injured eight seafarers.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Verification / Sources
- https://www.esmmagazine.com/supply-chain/cma-cgm-chief-says-unwise-to-assume-hormuz-will-return-to-pre-war-situation-313868 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.esmmagazine.com/supply-chain/cma-cgm-chief-says-unwise-to-assume-hormuz-will-return-to-pre-war-situation-313868 – CMA CGM’s CEO, Rodolphe Saade, stated that assuming the Strait of Hormuz will return to its pre-war state is ‘unwise’. He highlighted the uncertainty of future crises and emphasized the need for alternative routes.
- https://uk.marketscreener.com/news/cma-cgm-chief-says-unwise-to-assume-hormuz-will-return-to-pre-war-situation-ce7f5cdada81f620 – Rodolphe Saade, CEO of CMA CGM, expressed concerns about the Strait of Hormuz’s future, stating it’s ‘unwise’ to expect a return to its previous state. He mentioned the possibility of future crises and the necessity for alternative routes. (uk.marketscreener.com)
- https://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/dyn/actualites-accueil-hub/audition-de-rodolphe-saade-pdg-du-groupe-cma-cgm2 – On June 9, 2026, Rodolphe Saade, CEO of CMA CGM, was heard by the French National Assembly’s Economic Affairs Committee regarding the group’s development and the maritime transport industry’s situation amid the Strait of Hormuz blockade. (assemblee-nationale.fr)
- https://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/dyn/17/organes/commissions-permanentes/affaires-economiques/actualites/audition-de-rodolphe-saade-pdg-du-groupe-cma-cgm – Rodolphe Saade, CEO of CMA CGM, was auditioned by the French National Assembly’s Economic Affairs Committee on June 9, 2026, discussing the group’s economic situation and its role in developing the maritime industry in France amid the Strait of Hormuz blockade. (assemblee-nationale.fr)
- https://www.lemonde.fr/en/economy/article/2026/05/11/inside-the-mutually-beneficial-relationship-of-shipping-magnate-saade-and-president-macron_6753349_19.html – An article exploring the mutually beneficial relationship between French President Emmanuel Macron and Rodolphe Saade, CEO of CMA CGM, highlighting their shared connections and aligned strategic goals. (lemonde.fr)
- https://logistics.maritimeprofessional.com/transport-infrastructure/2025/03/07/cma-cgm-ceo-les-echos-cma-cgm-is-in-talks-with-us-shipyards – Rodolphe Saade, CEO of CMA CGM, discussed the company’s plans to build medium-sized container vessels in the United States, stating they are in talks with several shipyards to determine feasibility and cost. (logistics.maritimeprofessional.com)
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score: 10
Notes: The article is dated 9 June 2026, reporting on statements made by Rodolphe Saadé, CEO of CMA CGM, on the same date. No earlier publications of this specific content were found, indicating high freshness. (marketscreener.com)
Quotes check
Score: 10
Notes: The direct quotes from Rodolphe Saadé in the article match those found in the Reuters report dated 9 June 2026. No discrepancies or earlier uses of these quotes were identified, confirming their originality. (marketscreener.com)
Source reliability
Score: 10
Notes: The article originates from ESM Magazine, a reputable source in the supply chain industry. The Reuters report cited within the article is also a well-established news agency, enhancing the reliability of the information presented. (marketscreener.com)
Plausibility check
Score: 10
Notes: The claims made by Rodolphe Saadé regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and CMA CGM’s operational adjustments are consistent with known industry challenges and align with CMA CGM’s previous statements. No inconsistencies or implausible elements were identified. (marketscreener.com)