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Untill 1969, the French Line (Compagnie Générale Transatlantique) had 3 main activities :-Transatlantic liners which cruised occasionally (SS France and Antilles)-Ferry service in the Med-Freighters.
In 1969, their mediterranean service was rebranded "CGTM" (Compagnie Générale TransMéditérranéenne). This company still exists and was renamed (again) in 1976 SNCM when the French railways company SNCF took a 25% share in its capital (it was to show the continuity between the rail public service and the ships).
In 1974, SS France and De Grasse were discommissioned after the loss of the government subsidies (thanks Mr Chirac ! ). The brand CGT nevertheless still existed through their cargo ships activity.
In 1977 (if I recall correctly), the French government decided to merge the 2 historical state owned "French Lines" , CGT and Messageries Maritimes (the Line to Far East, Pacific, Indian Ocean and Brasil, which gave up as well its passenger services).
The new Line was called "Compagnie Générale Maritime", CGM (which was by the way the original name of CGT in 1850's).
In 1996 the line had a few financial troubles and was considered worthless by then Chirac's prime minister Alain Juppé. It was sold for a symbolic Franc (there had been a big controversy in France about this as most people thought it worthed much more) to the Marseille based competitor CMA. CGM shares in the SNCM (about 75%) were retaken by French government.
The newly created line was branded "CMA-CGM, French Line" and is presently the world number 3 container ships company, just behind Maersk and MSC.In 2004, they bought the "Compagnie des Îles du Ponant", the microscopical only French multi-ship cruise line.
CGT (French Line) merged with the Messageries Maritimes in 1977, and this became CGM,and with the privatisation in the 1990's, CGM was bought by the french private container line CMA.
The company is now called "CMA-CGM", and is one of the greater container lines in the world (according to their website Number Three, with 242 ships) CMA-CGM has a small tourism department.
For a history of CMA-CGM seehere
CGT had also a mediterranean line branch, and there has been some trouble there lately. I think PAscal or Vaccaro will know more about this.
J
Iread the article on them a few years back when CP seperated itès various divisions into seperate companies selling them off.
quote:Originally posted by Cunard Fan:I just thought about this one. I am pretty sure Matson Line is still around
And they still have a Lurline. This one of course is a container ship. (Cunard Fan-Lasuvidaboy born and raised in Pasadena-actually San Marino, CA)
quote:(Cunard Fan-Lasuvidaboy born and raised in Pasadena-actually San Marino, CA)
Thats cool! The only time I have ever met anyone here in Los Angeles who was into ships was when the two Queen Marys met.San Marino... fancy!
quote:Originally posted by Cunard Fan:Thats cool! The only time I have ever met anyone here in Los Angeles who was into ships was when the two Queen Marys met.San Marino... fancy!
I was there on top of the parking structure next to QM. That was an incredible day watching QM2 slowly make her way towards QM. I could not believe the crowds and the lines of traffic. San Marino is very nice. I will be there later today for a visit.
quote: I was there on top of the parking structure next to QM. That was an incredible day watching QM2 slowly make her way towards QM. I could not believe the crowds and the lines of traffic. San Marino is very nice. I will be there later today for a visit.
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