CMA CGM and Endangered Species International mark conservation milestone in Sarangani Bay

• Educational signboards unveiled to raise awareness of Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape and its mangrove and marine ecosystems.
• 100 mangrove seedlings planted by CMA CGM staff, customers and local community members, supporting the goal to plant 5,000 seedlings by 2027.

The CMA CGM Group, and Endangered Species International (ESI), a non-profit organization, marked the first milestone of their renewed ocean conservation partnership with the unveiling of the first of three educational signboards along the mangrove conservation boardwalk in Sarangani Bay, Mindanao, southern Philippines.

The milestone follows the latest renewal of the CMA CGM–ESI partnership in November 2025, extending joint conservation efforts through 2027. The collaboration, first launched in July 2021, supports coral reef conservation across three sites:

1. Balabac Island (Philippines) – Pulau Banggi (Malaysia)
2. Negros Island, central Philippines
3. Sarangani Bay, Mindanao, southern Philippines

Designed as a public learning point, the signboard welcomes visitors to Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape and explains why the bay matters to biodiversity, local livelihoods, coastal protection and climate resilience. It also encourages simple conservation actions, including learning about mangroves, reducing plastic use and sharing awareness within the community.

To mark the occasion, CMA CGM Philippines staff and customers, together with members of the local community, joined ESI in planting 100 mangrove seedlings within the 308-hectare Sarangani Bay mangrove conservation site.

Through this project, CMA CGM and ESI aim to cultivate and plant 5,000 mangrove seedlings from at least 10 species by 2027, including the critically endangered Camptostemon philippinense, listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The mangrove conservation walk is also expected to directly increase livelihood income for approximately 20 local families.

Key achievements from the past six months (1 November 2025 to 1 May 2026)

• Live coral cover increased from 63% to 65% across protected sites.
• Acropora coral cover, a key indicator of coral health, grew from 66% to 67%.
• 35 coral fragments were transplanted, with some showing early signs of new tissue growth and bonding within weeks.
• 24 outreach and conservation activities engaged around 4,000 people, including youth, adults and local fishing communities across Negros Island and Sarangani Bay.
• 1,000 mangrove seedlings were collected for mangrove restoration.

Sivakumar T., General Manager of CMA CGM Philippines, said, “We are proud that this project goes beyond conservation impact by engaging local communities, educating the next generation and creating alternative livelihood opportunities linked to conservation work. The signboard installation and planting activity show how awareness, community engagement and ecosystem restoration can work together to sustain ocean conservation over the long term.”

Pierre FIDENCI, ESI President said, “The protection and restoration of coral reefs and associated habitats like mangroves can only be achieved through sustained, long-term dedication. This is exactly why our partnership with CMA CGM is making such a profound impact on these endangered marine ecosystems.”

An illustration of the CMA CGM Group’s CSR commitment

The CMA CGM Group places sustainable development at the heart of its strategy, built around three pillars: Acting for Our People, Acting for Our Planet, and Acting for Our Partners. This project is one of many examples of the Group’s CSR commitment worldwide. In 2025, more than 715 local initiatives involving staff members, local communities, and customers were organized in 130 countries. The Group also partnered with non-profit organizations to implement a portfolio of 30 CSR projects, including the conservation project at Sarangani Bay, aimed at addressing local environmental issues.