The world’s third-largest shipping line has a new US chief

The world’s third-largest shipping line has a new US chief

Stuart Chirls

Mon, August 17, 2026 at 8:21 PM GMT+3 2 min read

The CMA CGM Group announced the appointment of Natasha Griffin as chief executive of CMA CGM North America.

Based in Norfolk, Va., Griffin will lead CMA CGM's operations and strategic development across North America, overseeing ocean shipping, logistics, intermodal, and supply chain activities, the Marseilles company said in a release.

"North America is a strategic market for CMA CGM and a key pillar of our long-term growth strategy," Griffin said in the release. "I am honored to lead our organization at this important moment. We will continue delivering exceptional service to our customers while supporting the development of America's maritime and logistics capabilities. I look forward to building on CMA CGM's longstanding commitment to the United States and Canada and contributing to the continued growth of our business and our partnerships across the

Region."

Griffin succeeds Adeline Franger Chouraqui, who became CEO and president of CMA CGM America in May 2025.

CMA CGM operates with more than 10,000 employees throughout the United States and Canada. It said container volume for the region totals 5 million units annually, on 38 services with 25 ports of call. It operates three U.S. marine terminals, one at the Port of Los Angeles and two at the Port of New York-New Jersey.

The Saade family controls CMA CGM. Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saade was in the Oval Office in 2025 when President Donald Trump announced a wide-ranging initiative to revive U.S.-flag shipping.

Griffin joined CMA CGM in June 2025 as managing director of CMA CGM United Kingdom. Prior to that she worked at Zim's UK unit for eight years, and Mediterranean Shipping Co., also in the UK region, for nearly a decade.

Griffin "has successfully led the group's activities in one of its key European markets, driving commercial performance, strengthening

customer relationships, and supporting the company's growth ambitions," the company said. "Her extensive commercial expertise, operational knowledge, and leadership experience make her

exceptionally well-positioned to lead CMA CGM North America as the Group continues to expand its presence and investments in the United States and Canada."

Read more articles by Stuart Chirls here.

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