CMA Ships Singapore and Ceyline Shipping launch CMA Ships Lanka

Tuesday, 27 June 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Proudly hailing from the third largest container shipping line in the world, CMA Ships Singapore Ltd., a subsidiary of the French shipping giant CMA CGM, joined hands with Sri Lanka’s most diversified shipping group 'Ceyline' in establishing a joint venture which will benefit Sri Lankan seafarers in numerous ways.

The new company, inaugurated as CMA Ships Lanka Ltd. employs skilled and professional Sri Lankan seafarers in container vessels which annually transport a total of over 18 million containers, crossing oceans to transport cargo around the globe.

The grand opening ceremony of CMA Ships Lanka was held on 21 June with the participation of Chief Guest L. P. Jayampathi, the Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Shipping, Guest of Honour Anais Boitiere, the Deputy Economic Consular of France to Sri Lanka and the Maldives on behalf of Jean-Marin Schuh, the Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Christian De Fruyt, Giancarlo Brosolo, Simon Spacey & Capt. Huicheng Liu representing CMA Ships and Hemantha Jayanetti, Capt. Ajith Peiris, Capt. Joseph Ranchigoda, Capt. Gayan Gunawardena and Capt. Hemantha Madanayaka representing the Ceyline Group. A briefing and workshop for over 100 seafarers was conducted at CINEC Maritime Campus to commemorate the event as well.

CMA CGM, established in 1978 by the company’s current Chairman, the French shipping magnate Jacques Saadé, has its headquarters in the salubrious city of Marseille in the south of France. The company operates its fleet of 541 ships on 200 shipping routes covering 420 commercial ports in 160 countries.

The fleet of CMA Ships includes six flagship 18,000 TEU super giants. ‘TEU’ which stands for Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units means that such a ship can carry a maximum of 18,000 Twenty-Foot containers at one time. To handle such massive ships, it is of paramount importance that they are manned by the finest crew available in the world.

Back in April 2014, CMA CGM gave the opportunity to Ceyline Shipping Ltd. to provide Sri Lankan seafarers to navigate their ships, as a result, CMA CGM Amber and CMA CGM Coral were the first ships to which Sri Lankan crew were recruited. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the first two batches of seafarers, the company decided to allocate more ships to Sri Lanka, creating more job opportunities for Sri Lankans.

Currently, CMA Ships Lanka has a total crew pool of 405 Sri Lankan seafarers out of which 236 are on board 16 ships ranging from 1,700-10,000 TEUs. They work together with multi-national crew to transport everyday goods all over the world.

The Sri Lankan crew pool led by jr. officers and engineers are assisted by bosuns, able seamen, ordinary seamen, welder/fitters, oilers, chief cooks, messmen and officer cadets. CMA CGM has a very well defined approach for strategic continuance by investing in officer cadets, who will be the future officers of the company.

With the launch of CMA Ships Lanka, Sri Lankan seafarers can apply for job opportunities with CMA CGM to start an illustrious career with one of the best shipping companies in the world. Visit the new CMA Ships Lanka office located on the second floor of Ceyline Group Building at 1, Alfred House Avenue, Colombo 3 for more information.