A work of several months of negotiations has just completed this 20 December with the announcement, by the Compagnie nationale du Rhône (CNR), that it will belong from 2025 and for one duration of 25 ansto the CCI du Pays d'Arles (CCIPA, agent), NGE Concessions, the Banque des Territoires, the Cepac Savings Bank and the Compagnie fluviale de transport (Sogestran group), 1is French river shipowner for industrial transportto manage, operate, develop, maintain the river port of Arles and invest there to increase its traffic (500 000 tonnes and 2023).
The CCI, which created the infrastructure more than 40 years ago, wants in particular to accentuate the mass modes of transport and capitalize on the potential ofcircular economy (scrap metal, biomass), wood industry (crushing and timber) and shipping containersits president, Stéphane Paglia, having announced, at the start of his mandate, his desire to set up a dedicated platform. A vast modernization plan of the port is planned within two years, estimated at 7 million eurosin order to upgrade facilities and equipment.
Large-scale modernization
Located at Saint-Etienne-du-Grèsjust a few kilometers from the port quays and its activity zone, NGE will work there, in the form of manufacturer group with its subsidiaries Guintoli (representative), EHTP Pipes, Agilis concrete roads, NGE Routes et WITH GC (civil engineering). Project management will be ensured by Egis. This local involvement of 4e national construction groupwith 4 billion euros turnover and 23,000 employees in the world, will be available on several projects: the construction of works for the recovery, storage and treatment of rainwater before its discharge into the natural environment, the construction of a washing area in concrete of 200 m2 with a decanter/sludge trap system to treat and evacuate ship washing water and creation of a hydraulic networkstorage platforms and the “relamping” of the entire lighting network.
The investment program also includes installation of power terminals at the edge of the quay for supply of water and electricity to boats the time of their stopover as well as the complete security of the site by installing a video surveillance system. The environmental quality of the Arles port complex will be greatly improved to convince new operators to use it for their goods traffic.
A positive commitment for the Rhone axis
« The ambition of the CCI of Pays d'Arles is to make the port a real lever for economic development at the service of our territory, fully committed to the report modal and the ecological transition », Indicates Stéphane Paglia.
For Jean Bernadet, president of NGE, this is a very long-term contract which is coming to fruition, enhancing the strategy of« integrated global offer » and expertise in several professions, followed by the group for several years now. “ Our teams will be present for 25 years to transform the port of Arles et strengthen it in its role as the economic heart of the territory “, he confides.
As for Alexis Rouque, regional director of the Caisse des Dépôts, he sees in the participation at the level of 14,99 % to the sub-concessionaire group (the CCIPA and NGE Concessions have 35 % eachthe Savings Bank 10,01 % and the River Transport Company 5 %) « a way, more broadly, to participate in development of the Mediterranean-Rhône-Saône river axis »considered strategic by the State, in particular for promote modal shift which would allow relieve congestion (and clean up) the roads of their heavy weights.
