CMA CGM boss questions when Chinese lines will stop calling in Iran

The head of CMA CGM appears to have taken a swipe at its Ocean Alliance partner, Cosco, in statements regarding the French carrier’s decision to quit doing business with sanctioned Iran.

Speaking over the weekend, Rodolphe Saade told reporters that CMA CGM was following a number of other containerlines in pulling back from Iran in the wake of the US putting sanctions back on.

“Due to the Trump administration, we have decided to end our service for Iran,” Saade said during an economic conference in the southern French city of Aix-en-Provence.

“Our Chinese competitors are hesitating a little, so maybe they have a different relationship with Trump, but we apply the rules,” Saade said.

CMA CGM’s cooperation agreement with local Iranian partner IRISL has also been suspended.

Saade also discussed the growing trade tensions between China and the US. He said the trade tit-for-tat had yet to hit his line’s shipping volumes.