CMA CGM, the French-based global container shipping company ranked third worldwide, has resumed limited shipping services to Russia focused on foodstuffs, approximately three years after suspending operations there, the company announced.

A cargo ship boat model is pictured in front of the CMA CGM logo in this illustration taken March 3, 2022.

Following the start of the conflict in Ukraine, CMA CGM, like many Western companies, fully halted its activities in Russia, including container shipping services and the sale of interests in local port terminals.

The company’s CNC subsidiary has now restarted transporting certain food products, including citrus fruit and coffee, to address specific customer requirements, CMA CGM stated in an emailed response.

"This activity is very limited and conducted strictly in accordance with the sanctions regime in place," the company said.

According to French newspaper Ouest France, which first reported the development, CMA CGM is not deploying its own vessels for these shipments. Instead, it books container slots on ships operated by other carriers.

With this step, CMA CGM joins Switzerland-based MSC, another leading container shipping line, in maintaining restricted cargo services to Russia. MSC has continued limited shipments throughout the period, confining them to food, medical supplies, and humanitarian goods.

The resumption by CMA CGM remains narrowly scoped and fully compliant with applicable international sanctions, the company emphasized, without disclosing volume details or specific routes.