CMA CGM launches Box tech Incubator

FOLLOWING Maersk’s tie-up with IBM to create a joint venture company to develop and exploit block chain technology, French carrier CMA CGM has announced its own start-up incubator venture in Marseilles.

News ID: 78373

Date: 31 January 2018 - 16:09

According to MANA, Ze Box will start in June and house a dozen start-ups from around the world, CMA CGM said. A call for applications would be launched soon.

“The creation of Ze Box is part of CMA CGM’s strategy to make digitalization one of the pillars of its development,” CMA CGM said. “This innovation will accelerate, complete and strengthen the initiatives that have already been launched by the group.”

These included the appointment of a worldwide team of chief digital officers and the creation of CMA CGM Ventures, the corporate venture structure dedicated to investments in innovative technologies.

CMA CGM Ventures has already invested in freight contracts business NYSHEX and is supporting Le Carburateur, a start-up incubator for the northern districts of Marseilles, with financial support awarded to five businesses related to the transport and logistics sectors, among others.

It has also formed a partnership with Infosys and with e-business giants such as China’s Alibaba.

“With Ze Box, CMA CGM is accelerating its digital strategy and is developing the means to become the transportation industry’s leader in innovation,” chief executive Rodolphe Saadé said. “By combining our expertise with the one of the start-ups that will be hosted within Ze Box, we will develop global innovations that create value for our customers and for CMA CGM.”