640 jobs, more than two billion euros of investment. The port of Le Havre received this Thursday, November 7, 2024, the Ministers of Economy, Transport and Territories. They announced three industrial projects in the new energy sector.
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In Le Havre, three new industries have chosen the port basin to establish themselves by 2029. The Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry, Antoine Armand announced this Thursday, November 7, 2024.
He was welcomed by Edouard Philippe with the Minister of Transport François Durovray and the Minister of Decentralization Catherine Vautrin, around 10 a.m., Quai Frissard.
Agence France Presse (AFP) provides details on these projects from a source in the cabinet of the Ministry of the Economy. They are supported by a French company, a Luxembourg company and an American company.
The mayor of Le Havre, Edouard Philippe, welcomes the 3 ministers this November 7 for the signing of contracts with 3 companies which are to set up in the port area.
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© L. Godefroy/ France 3 Baie de Seine
640 jobs planned
The port of Le Havre will welcome three new industrial projects for a total investment estimated at 2.6 billion euros with 640 jobs, the cabinet of the Ministry of Economy and Finance announced on Thursday.
The three companies – Livista Energy, Air Products and Qair – will develop a lithium refinery, a renewable hydrogen import site and a hydrogen and methanol production and storage project by 2026-2029, again according to the ministry.
“This is proof that the government’s strategy of revitalizing certain industrial-port wastelands is relevant and convinces foreign investors”the Minister of Economy and Finance, Antoine Armand, rejoiced to AFP.
60 hectares developed
These investments are part of the France 2030 program. The port of Le Havre launched a call for tenders a few months ago to invest 60 hectares of land “labelled turnkey industrial land”, according to Antoine Armand's office. .
The selected projects will benefit from “pre-development”, that is to say from “carrying out preparatory work, service arrangements” but also “reinforced support from state services” for example to facilitate administrative procedures, always according to the same source.
The first project, carried out by the Luxembourg company Livista Energy, concerns a lithium refinery intended for batteries. The group plans 1.2 billion investments and the creation of 300 direct jobs.
Air Products, an American company, will set up a renewable hydrogen import site “for a total investment estimated at 1.1 billion euros and 270 potential jobs”, according to Mr. Armand's office.
The company has an agreement with TotalEnergies, which owns a refinery in the port of Le Havre, to supply it with 500 kilotons of renewable hydrogen per year.
Finally, the last company is French: Qair will produce and store hydrogen and methanol for maritime transport. It plans to invest 500 million euros for 150 direct job creations.
“These projects represent thousands of jobs and investment in green industries that create value for our territories,” insisted the cabinet of the Ministry of Industry.
The establishment of these sites in ports also aims to promote exports while France's trade balance is in deficit.
