Leaders of the Sète Port Authority, The Occitanie Region and P&O Ports have toured the city’s container terminal in the south of France following the three-year management contract awarded to the multi-purpose ports operator in July this year.
On a visit to Sète this week, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zones Corporation (PCFC) in Dubai met with the Regional President, Mme Carole Delga and Port Authority President, Mr. Jean-Claude Gayssot, and toured the facility including P&O Ports new offices. He noted that the start of operations was due in early 2018 and encouraged those with an interest in the Sète container terminal to contact P&O Ports local representatives so they can prepare services for future customers and partners.
President of the Occitanie Region, Mme Carole Delga, said: "The presence of P&O Ports is a significant undertaking for the Region Occitanie and the Port of Sète, and will contribute to the economic development of Occitanie and France. Container development is a priority for us as it underpins the efforts of taking the region forward. The agreement with P&O Ports is a major achievement for our region and for French companies. It enables the Port of Sète to strengthen its trade relations with the world.”
President of the Port Authority, Mr Jean-Claude Gayssot, added: “We are very pleased to have selected a group as renowned as P&O Ports to develop the container terminal. By facilitating trade with the rest of the world, this terminal will enhance the attractiveness of our territory, which will benefit all.”
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zones Corporation (PCFC), said: “Port de Sète has the potential to develop into a major trade and logistics hub for the region and our experience has shown us the importance of multi modal transport links to realise this goal. With the logistics zone, rail and road links as well as our investment in port infrastructure, the southeast of France is set to become an important location in the region and the Mediterranean. We look forward to working with local government and port authorities on realising this vision, developing local talent and the trade potential of Sète.”
Port de Sète is an ideal entry point to the Region Auvergne-Rhône with direct inland waterway communications and well positioned to serve nearby large centres of population including Toulouse, Montpellier and Clermont-Ferrand. It forms part of the network of feeder routes in Italy, Spain and France with access to major hubs throughout the Mediterranean, the road and rail network of southern France and major businesses located in the region.
As part of the contract, P&O Ports will operate a container facility with access to a 14.5 metre draft, 457 metres of quay length and an initial yard of 2 hectares which can be enlarged if volumes require. The Port de Sete handles frozen, chilled, general and breakbulk cargo, containers, ro-ro services and livestock alongside cruise and ferry terminals, cement handling facilities and an agro-industrial complex.
Sète received a further boost to its economy recently is when it was chosen as the location for a new-build superyacht marina project by international marina operator and developer IGY Marinas and P&O Marinas, a subsidiary of DP World. Development is due to start at the end of the year and once open will offer 12 dedicated superyacht berths for the world’s largest vessels of up to 328 feet (100 metres) with a maximum draft of 23 feet (7 metres).
Both developments signal positive economic impact for local communities and the wider region, generating employment, tourism, trade and manufacturing. The upcoming development of a nearby logistics zone by the regional government and port authorities close to Port de Sète will increase even further its connectivity. Excellent rail, airport facilities and the major transport artery, the A9 (E15/E80) motorway, will also enhance economic growth.