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.

The IT teams from the two companies will be merged into a new subsidiary, CMA Systems, which will have an equally represented governance structure and report directly to Jacques R. Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CMA CGM. The new services and technologies developed by the new subsidiary, along with its unified organization, will enable CMA CGM to generate substantial savings in 2012, CMA CGM officials said.

“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. Saadé 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.”

"This new collaboration will allow us to support CMA CGM in driving efficiencies and increasing innovation with new technologies such as cloud and analytics,” said Alain Bénichou, IBM France President.