CMA CGM unveils new global start-up incubator Ze Box to drive digital strategy

FRENCH container shipping giant CMA CGM has set up a new global startup incubator, Ze Box, to drive its digital strategy.

Based in Marseilles, France, the incubator is set to house a dozen of startups from around the world, starting in June this year.

The group will be launching a call for applications shortly.

Ze Box comes as part of CMA CGM's strategy to make digitalisation a key business pillar, the group said in a statement on Tuesday.

"With Ze Box, CMA CGM is accelerating its digital strategy and is developing the means to become the transportation industry's leader in innovation," Rodolphe Saadé, chairman and chief executive of CMA CGM Group, said.

"By combining our expertise with one of the startups that will be hosted within Ze Box, we will develop global innovations that create value for our customers and for CMA CGM."

The launch of Ze Move move aims to accelerate, complete and strengthen CMA CGM's recent initiatives - such as the setting up of CMA CGM Ventures, the group's corporate venture structure dedicated to investments in innovative technologies - as well as new partnerships with major e-business firms like Alibaba.

CMA CGM has also appointed a worldwide team of chief digital officers, including a new Asia chief digital officer based in Singapore.

CMA CGM, which completed shifting its regional headquarters from Hong Kong to Singapore early last year, has said that the republic will lead the group's Asia digital strategy.