French Shipping Firm Investing $20 Billion Into US Shipbuilding Industry

French shipping giant CMA CGM Group has committed to a $20 billion investment to revitalize America’s shipbuilding industry.

Key Takeaways

CMA CGM Group will invest $20 billion in U.S. shipping infrastructure, which President Donald Trump touts as a move that will create approximately 10,000 new American jobs.
The French company plans to triple its U.S.-flagged vessels from 10 to 30 ships.
Trump revealed plans to establish a White House Office of Shipbuilding with tax incentives to support the industry.
Investment includes developing ports in six major cities and a new logistics research center in Boston focused on robotics.
The Shipbuilders Council of America has pledged collaboration on rebuilding America’s commercial and military fleets.

A $20 Billion Maritime Investment

French shipping giant CMA CGM Group has committed to a massive $20 billion investment in the United States shipping and logistics infrastructure. The announcement comes amid President Donald Trump’s push to revitalize the American shipbuilding industry. Trump indicated that this substantial foreign investment is expected to create approximately 10,000 new jobs across America’s maritime sector.

CMA CGM currently operates in 40 states and already employs 15,000 Americans through its ownership of American President Lines. The investment will significantly expand the company’s American footprint with development planned for ports in New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, and Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Additionally, funds will support a new air cargo hub in Chicago and a logistics research and development center in Boston that will focus on cutting-edge robotics and automation technology to enhance shipping operations.

French shipping company CMA CGM Group will invest $20 billion in the United States to help shore up the nation’s shipbuilding infrastructure, President Donald Trump announced on March 6.https://t.co/WrKtiQefBZ

— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) March 6, 2025

Tripling the American Flag Fleet

The CMA CGM’s investment plan involves increasing its fleet of U.S.-flagged vessels. The company currently operates 10 ships under the American flag but has announced plans to triple that number to 30 vessels. This expansion aligns with Trump’s vision of rebuilding America’s commercial fleet and strengthening maritime security. U.S.-flagged vessels are required to be crewed by American citizens and permanent residents.

In his announcement, Trump highlighted the decline of American shipbuilding capacity over the decades. He said the U.S. “used to build a ship a day, and now we essentially don’t build ships.” The investment by CMA CGM aligns with Trump’s plan to bring back shipbuilding in the U.S. and reduce reliance on China.

White House Office of Shipbuilding

As part of the broader initiative to support this investment, Trump announced plans to establish a new White House Office of Shipbuilding. This office aims to coordinate efforts to rebuild America’s maritime industry through tax incentives and other support measures designed to make domestic shipbuilding more competitive globally. The Shipbuilders Council of America has expressed strong support for these initiatives and has committed to collaboration with the new office to enhance both commercial and military shipbuilding capabilities across the United States.