The five vessels — CMA CGM Marco Polo, CMA CGM Leo, Aknoul, Mont Ventoux and APL Gwangyang — as well as all CMA CGM Group vessels around the world sounded their horns in honor of the man hailed as a visionary entrepreneur. All ships present in French ports at midday Friday also sounded their horns in tribute.
In addition, the 30,000 associates of the Group observed a minute of silence in the 755 agencies in 160 countries in which it operates.
Saadé’s funeral was held at La Major Cathedral Friday, and all the Group’s employees based in Marseilles were invited to attend. Among the French government officials in attendance were Jean-Yves Le Drian, minister for Europe and foreign affairs, and Elisabeth Borne, minister of transports.
Lebanese Minister Michel Pharaon posthumously awarded Saadé the Lebanese Merit medal, that country’s highest distinction. Saadé was born in Beirut in 1937.
In 1978, Saadé moved to France, where he set up the Compagnie Maritime d’Affrètement (CMA). He began with four employees, one ship and one maritime service between Marseilles, France and Beirut.
Saadé acquired Compagnie Générale Maritime (CGM) when it was privatized in 1996, then merged CMA and CGM, which led to the birth of the CMA CGM Group in 1999.
In 2006, CMA CGM Group became the third-largest container shipping company in the world. It still holds that slot today. The company’s 494 ships currently serve more than 420 ports across five continents.
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