After five years of working together through a joint subsidiary, CMA CGM Group and IBM have announced a new strategic partnership.

Under the terms of the five-year agreement, IBM will provide industry-specific expertise in new technologies such as cloud computing and analytics, and support CMA CGM's growth by delivering superior quality information technology services that will help CMA CGM significantly reduce costs.

"Innovative technologies from IBM will help CMA CGM to further improve our customer service. This is one of CMA CGM's key competitive strengths," Mr. Saade said. "The creation of this new partnership with a global market leader is strategic for the Group. This partnership will enable us to offer our customers innovative, purpose-designed IT solutions, while improving our cost discipline."