Port of Sète’s call for tender
2016-04-18 16:04

Port of Sète’s call for tender

The Port of Sète will launch a call for tenders for the concession of a new terminal in the South of France.

With the delivery of a new deep sea quay, the terminal will be able to accommodate larger vessels and will be an attractable new opportunity for the right operator.

Arnaud Rieutort, business development manager, told Port Strategy: “We are looking for an outsider who is not already present in France but is eager to break through.”

“The multipurpose operator should develop the terminal as a new gateway for the new region Languedoc Roussillon-Midi Pyrenees, which will be a strong connection between two thriving cities; Toulouse and Montpellier.”

Consultations for an operator will begin in May with the deadline expected to be imposed for September.

The company that signs the tender at the new terminal will not have a competitor but would be the sole operator.

“Sète offers a good alternative to neighbouring ports, we are in a perfect location with national access and strong waterway inland connections,” explained Mr Rieutort

Another positive is that investment has already been placed into the terminal, an ambitious investment plan has been deployed to upgrade the whole port facilities and all equipment in order to establish a long term relationship.

An operators best option is to place 100% commitment into the port’s new terminal, but there are also other options to only part invest in the equipment and people available at the port.

“We can openly say that we have the proper infrastructure to operate efficiently all kind of vessels up to 300m in a deep water port,” explained Mr Rieutort.

He explained to Port Strategy that it had been noted that many regional companies in the area were reluctant to go to Spain for geographical and technical reasons, and therefore the Port of Sète wants to provide an alternative in the South of France.

Sète offers all tools and asses for cargo to pass through the port, including IT systems, boarder inspection points, competitive handling rates, and importantly no congestion with easy access to roads.

The main aim of the call for tender is to increase business development, including the local Sète community and boost jobs in the local area, rather than purely for financial gain.

“It is obvious that the delivery of the quay will add significant value to the port. We believe this remains a unique opportunity for an operator to provide a service within a flexible environment,” concluded Mr Rieutort.

With traffic at the French Mediterranean port rising by 15% last year, Port of Sète has one of the best growth records in the country.

Since it was transferred from a state to a regional port in 2007, it has continuously worked towards improving its infrastructure and developing itself as the second deepest port in the South of France.

Over €200m has been invested since 2007, and over the next five years another €200m will be invested to continue the Port of Sète’s development.


Source: PortStrategy

Source: PortStrategy