This is what we usually call a change in continuity. Concessionaire for the port of Arles for 40 years, the CCI of Pays d'Arles leaves, from April 1, for a new period of 25 years, now engaged within a grouping with NGE, French n°4 in the BTP (35% each) the Banque des Territoires (15%), the Caisse d’Epargne-CEPAC (10%) and the Compagnie Fluviale des transports (subsidiary of Sogestran, 5%).
A new governance that has one goal: modernize infrastructure. Because the port of Arles, much more modest than Marseille-Fos or Édouard-Herriot in Lyon, nevertheless plays a key role in the development and consolidation of the Mediterranean-Rhône-Saône axis. A major axis for continuing and amplifying the decarbonization of transport and logistics and which is a priority included in particular in the Marseille-Fos roadmap.
Playing on the complementarity of Sète in Lyon
In fact, the port of Arles is the southernmost port on the MeRS axis and it contributes its share in freight processing, 95% of which is carried out by river. With an advantage, a draft greater than other infrastructures on the Rhône, and a particularity, that of being able to accommodate ships of 3,000 tonnes, smaller in size than those handled by Marseille-Fos, for example, but boats ” capable of capturing flows from the Mediterranean basin, with particularities on metallurgical, forestry, agricultural or raw ore products », Explains Pierre Meffre, director of territories within the Compagnie nationale du Rhône (CNR).
A complementarity which is also in line with the traffic of the Port of Sète or Toulon and which makes Arles a sort of essential link in maritime traffic.
Hence the development objectives desired by the Compagne Nationale du Rhône (CNR) which intends to increase annual traffic by 25%, currently 350,000 tonnes, to bring it to 454,000 tonnes by 2029. This requires modernizing the quays, the traffic lanes and handling areas. Also install CENAQ terminals, to allow electrical connection at the dock, rainwater recovery systems or even a washing area. Work, lasting two years, which will be orchestrated by NGE and its various professions, the construction group, originally from Arles where it has its head office, thus making its first foray into port sub-concessions. “We are creating a dedicated project company which will finance the work. Funding that is done in several ways,” explains Thomas Bigueure, General Manager Concessions France at NGE. “By additional contributions from shareholders to the capital, up to 25% and by a bank loan of 5 million euros, loan granted by the Caisse d'Épargne”.
MeRS: an expanded economic zone
11 million euros will thus be injected, 1 million euros being provided by the CNR. The Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur Region and the State should also be requested within the framework of the Rhône-Saône Interregional Plan Contract.
The ambition, behind the figures, is the development of river and rail. The sub-concession, established on 12 hectares, has two platforms, one of 280 linear meters, the other of 180 linear meters and is connected to an internal railway network, itself connected to the national rail network. Rail is still the small part of traffic, of the order of less than 5% (with 300 trains per year) when road occupies 40% and river, more than 55%.
The river sector, already well underway, must continue to grow and this is also the ambition of MedLink Ports, the river-port association which campaigns and works for the development of multi-modal on the MeRS axis. “ MedLink Ports wants to turn more and more towards its hinterland », confirms Pierre Meffre. With the idea of offering solutions to a wider territory. “ The economic zone drained by the Rhône can be further upstream and downstream “. As a reminder, the port of Arles covers a total of 55 hectares and provides 60 direct jobs.
