The CMA CGM Group and IT consulting expert Infosys have signed a strategic partnership agreement to simplify and transform the French shipping line’s IT applications and improve customer service.

According to CMA CGM, under the seven-year partnership, Infosys will open a centre for development and innovation in Marseille, making the port city a reference centre of expertise. Infosys will also take over CMA CGM’s IT development centre in Dubai.

“Innovation and digitalization are at the heart of our strategy,” said Rodolphe Saadé [left in photo], CEO of CMA CGM. “Our ambition is to create a competitive advantage by offering our customers state-of-the-art technologies. The partnership with Infosys is key to attaining this objective. By setting up their Center for Innovation in Marseille, CMA CGM, as well as the region, will benefit from both their expertise and their proximity.”

Infosys will provide CMA CGM with the skills needed to maintain and develop its applications, and will supply the shipping line with new value-added technologies to improve agility and responsiveness.

CMA CGM will also adopt Infosys Nia, an artificial intelligence platform, and AssistEdge, a scalable automation platform, to modernize customer service and improve internal performance.

“Simplifying the technology footprint and leveraging next-generation technologies is the need of the hour for the hyper-competitive shipping and logistics industry,” said Rajesh Krishnamurthy [right in photo], president and head of Europe at Infosys. “We look forward to helping CMA CGM leapfrog to the next generation of software-led business innovation which is customer-friendly, cost-effective and flexible. Infosys is keen to leverage its logistics industry experience and assist CMA CGM with its business transformation journey.”