Foundation of the Compagnie Générale Maritime, which specialised in services to Corsica and the Americas. In 1861, the company is renamed Compagnie Générale Transatlantique.

Over the years, time and world wars affected the power and riches of former maritime traffic. But the names remained and these two companies were the foundation for SNCM. Even at this time, as now, SNCM was known as the "Compagnie"..

In the 1970s, methods of consumption were transformed: leisure became a consumable like any other and so shipping capacity had to grow with this.
In the late 1980s, mass tourism hit its peak and consumers rightly began to demand higher quality. SNCM renewed its fleet and has since developed new products and services to satisfy its more demanding customers.
The "Compagnie"'s methods therefore evolved. Development of new technology such as computing or High Speed Vessels also brought the company new skills. But SNCM's mission has always stayed the same: to carry men and women and - the result of their work - merchandise.

SNCM continues its public service goals. On January 1 2002, together with CMN, it provides the Marseille-Corsica route with services under the aegis of a public service agreement between the Collectivité Territoriale and the Office des Transports de la Corse, with the approval of the Assemblée Territoriale de Corse, for a period of five years.

Readers who want to know more about the history of SNCM should see the book by Charles Finidori, Corsica Marittima, proceeds from which go to fighting cancer. (Charles Finidori -Tel: 04 91 34 65 44 or 04 95 77 06 43).

You can also see the site of L'Association French Lines which looks at the history of French shipping companies, in particular the Compagnie Générale Maritime and Société Nationale Maritime Corse Méditerranée