The French shipping company CMA CGM, which ranks third in the world in terms of container traffic, is officially returning to Russia after a three-year absence. On November 17, 2025, the North vessel will arrive at the port of St. Petersburg, marking the beginning of regular flights within the framework of the Finland Express service. This event is becoming an important milestone for the Russian container market, which after 2022 was filled mainly by domestic and Asian operators.
Today, 17 foreign lines operate in the Baltic Basin, but only three of them were present until 2022. Experts believe that the return of one of the largest players will lead to tougher competition and lower freight rates. In addition, it will give an impetus to the expansion of the geography of routes, covering both import and export flows.
Nikolay Olshansky, head of ModernWay, emphasizes that against the background of declining imports and the active expansion of Chinese carriers, it will be difficult for Russian companies to maintain their positions. Foreign competitors, having better financing conditions, can offer more attractive tariffs and service. Nevertheless, the market volume, according to FESCO, remains stable — from January to August 2025, it amounted to 4.2 million TEU. This means that the introduction of CMA CGM will not only increase overall traffic, but will redistribute current volumes among market participants.
Some participants in the logistics sector believe that the return of foreign players should be strictly regulated. For example, Alexander Chevelyuk from the Transit group calls for restrictions on the activities of foreign lines in order not to repeat the crisis of 2022, when a mass exodus of companies destabilized the infrastructure. He suggests that at least 60% of shipments by 2030 should be carried out by Russian vessels. Possible measures include limiting port charges for companies from unfriendly countries, quotas for participation in the distribution of railway capacity, and priority for domestic operators.
During the discussion at the beginning of the year, it was proposed to introduce a mandatory 51% share for Russian companies when foreign carriers enter joint ventures. The issue of a transition period for adaptation was also raised, during which international lines could create alliances with the participation of Russian partners.
In general, experts agree that CMA CGM will be a catalyst for changes in the market. For some, it is an opportunity to improve efficiency and service, for others it is a challenge requiring government support and a strategic approach to protecting the interests of the national logistics business.
