FoodBackground

Rodolphe Saadé's CMA CGM group deepens its roots in Marseille

The Saadé family, owners of shipping giant CMA CGM, has steadily widened its presence in Marseille's economic and cultural life.

12 Nov 2026, 13:171 min read

This summary was written by AI to complete the context; it is not based on a current source.

CMA CGM, one of the world's largest container shipping companies, has been headquartered in Marseille since its founding in 1978 by Jacques Saadé. After his death in 2018, his son Rodolphe Saadé took over leadership of the family-controlled group, which remains one of the biggest private employers in the city.

Under Rodolphe Saadé, the group's footprint in Marseille went beyond shipping. Its tower on the waterfront, designed by architect Zaha Hadid and opened in 2011, became a symbol of the port city's business revival. The group also backed local institutions, including sponsorship of the football club Olympique de Marseille, and bought into regional media, notably the daily newspaper La Provence.

This growing presence mattered because it made the Saadé family a central figure in the city's economy, its image and its public debate. It also explains why further purchases of local landmarks, such as the sale of the Le Petit Nice restaurant, are read as part of a wider pattern of investment in Marseille.