French maritime trade shows resilience amid regulatory shifts and geopolitical tension

French maritime freight volumes reached 333.4 million tonnes in 2025, representing a 2.4% increase. Despite this growth, companies face a complex regulatory landscape involving EU ETS, maritime alliance shifts, and US tariffs.

To navigate these challenges, businesses are increasingly utilizing the combination of Registered Customs Representative (RDE) status and Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certification. The AEO status, which includes security and customs simplifications, is a strategic asset for managing international trade and border procedures.

In the corporate sector, CMA CGM reported solid second-quarter 2026 results despite geopolitical instability in the Middle East. The group saw a 6% year-on-year increase in maritime volumes and an 8.5% rise in logistics revenue. CEO Rodolphe Saade attributed this performance to the group's agility and strategic investments in maritime, terminal, and air freight activities.