CMA CGM Group, known for sea transport and logistics, is to enter the air cargo market.

The France-based company has purchased four A330-200F freighters and created a specialised air freight division called CMA CGM Air Cargo.

The company said the move would allow it to “offer its customers a new range of comprehensive, agile and customised solutions”.

The 60-tonne-payload A330-200Fs came into service between 2014 and 2016. The CMA CGM Group said it would entrust the operation of its freighter fleet to a European airline.

CMA CGM Group chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé said the air freight division had been created following “growing demand from our customers for agile logistics solutions”. He commented: “This division will leverage commercial partnerships with airlines in order to deliver global coverage. This is a major milestone in the development of our logistics services.”