CMA CGM has appointed Natasha Griffin as CEO of CMA CGM North America, putting the veteran shipping executive in charge of operations and strategic development across the United States and Canada. Her remit spans ocean shipping, logistics, intermodal and supply-chain activities across one of the group’s major regional markets.
Key Takeaways
- Natasha Griffin has been appointed CEO of CMA CGM North America, based in Norfolk, Virginia.
- She will oversee shipping, logistics, intermodal and supply-chain operations across the United States and Canada.
- CMA CGM says its North American operations employ more than 10,000 people and handle about 5 million TEUs annually.
- Griffin joined CMA CGM in June 2025 as managing director of its United Kingdom business.
- She succeeds Adeline Franger Chouraqui, who became CEO and president of CMA CGM America in May 2025.
Based in Norfolk, Virginia, Griffin will lead the group’s operations and strategic development across North America. Her responsibilities include ocean shipping, logistics, intermodal transportation and supply-chain activities.
The appointment gives Griffin oversight of several parts of CMA CGM’s transportation network rather than ocean shipping alone. It also places an executive with roughly three decades of industry experience at the head of a region the company describes as central to its long-term strategy.
“North America is a strategic market for CMA CGM and a key pillar of our long-term growth strategy,” Griffin said in the company’s announcement.
Griffin succeeds Adeline Franger Chouraqui, who became CEO and president of CMA CGM America in May 2025.
New Role Expands Griffin’s Regional Mandate
Griffin joined CMA CGM in June 2025 as managing director of CMA CGM United Kingdom. In that position, she oversaw the group’s activities in the UK, including commercial performance, customer relationships and business development.
Her move to North America significantly broadens that mandate. Instead of leading one national business, Griffin will now oversee activities across the United States and Canada and across several connected transportation functions.
CMA CGM cited her commercial expertise, operational knowledge and leadership experience when announcing the appointment.
Her background also reflects the growing importance of executives with operational expertise in senior roles involving complex supply chains, transportation networks and large-scale business execution.
For Griffin, the North American appointment follows a relatively short period leading CMA CGM’s UK operation, but it builds on a career that has included senior positions with several major container shipping companies.
Griffin Brings Three Decades of Shipping Experience
Before joining CMA CGM, Griffin spent eight years with ZIM’s United Kingdom operation. She previously worked for nearly a decade with Mediterranean Shipping Co. in the UK region.
Her career has included commercial and management responsibilities across the container shipping sector, giving her experience with both customer-facing operations and broader transportation management.
CMA CGM said Griffin successfully led its UK activities after joining the company in 2025, with responsibilities that included commercial performance, customer relationships and support for the group’s growth objectives.
The North American position adds a wider geographic and operational scope. Griffin will now be responsible for activities connecting maritime shipping with inland transportation, logistics and supply-chain services across two countries.
That combination is significant because the regional CEO role connects strategic decisions with the physical movement of cargo through ports, terminals and inland networks.
CMA CGM North America Combines Shipping and Logistics
The CMA CGM North America CEO position covers more than the group’s ocean transportation business.
Griffin’s remit includes logistics, intermodal services and supply-chain activities alongside maritime operations. Together, those functions connect international container shipping with the inland movement and management of cargo.
According to CMA CGM, the group transports more than 5 million twenty-foot equivalent units, or TEUs, to and from North America each year through 38 services calling at 25 ports.
The company also operates three U.S. marine terminals. One is located at the Port of Los Angeles, while two operate within the Port of New York and New Jersey.
Those assets make port and logistics infrastructure particularly relevant to the scope of Griffin’s new position, which extends from ocean transportation to intermodal and supply-chain operations.
CMA CGM also maintains offices in major U.S. business and transportation centers, including Norfolk, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York and Newport Beach.
Griffin will be based at the company’s Norfolk operation at 1 CMA CGM Way in Virginia.
A Large North American Network Comes Under Her Remit
CMA CGM says it employs more than 10,000 people across the United States and Canada, giving Griffin responsibility for a substantial regional workforce.
The operation combines maritime services, marine terminals, logistics activities and inland transportation. Its 38 services and 25 ports of call connect North American customers with CMA CGM’s wider international shipping network.
Griffin’s appointment consolidates oversight of these functions under the CMA CGM North America CEO role while giving her responsibility for the region’s strategic development.
The position also shifts her from managing the company’s UK activities to overseeing one of CMA CGM’s larger regional transportation networks.
Her experience with CMA CGM, ZIM and Mediterranean Shipping Co. gives her a career spanning several major operators in the container shipping industry. CMA CGM pointed to that combination of commercial and operational experience when announcing the move.
As CMA CGM North America CEO, Griffin now takes responsibility for a business encompassing ocean transportation, inland logistics, intermodal operations and supply-chain services across the United States and Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Natasha Griffin?
Natasha Griffin is a shipping and logistics executive with about three decades of industry experience. She joined CMA CGM in June 2025 as managing director of its United Kingdom operation after previous roles with ZIM and Mediterranean Shipping Co.
Who is the new CEO of CMA CGM North America?
Natasha Griffin is the new CMA CGM North America CEO. She will lead the company’s operations and strategic development across the United States and Canada from Norfolk, Virginia.
What will Natasha Griffin oversee at CMA CGM?
Griffin will oversee ocean shipping, logistics, intermodal transportation and supply-chain activities across North America. Her role also includes responsibility for the company’s strategic development in the region.
How large is CMA CGM’s North American operation?
CMA CGM says it employs more than 10,000 people across the United States and Canada. The company transports more than 5 million TEUs to and from the region annually through 38 services calling at 25 ports.
Where is Natasha Griffin based?
Griffin is based in Norfolk, Virginia. CMA CGM lists its Norfolk operation at 1 CMA CGM Way.
