Marseille Fos €360m growth strategy

Marseille - The Marseille Fos port authority has set out a strategy for growth over the next four years to make it a viable gateway alternative to other ports in northern Europe. A large part of the growth strategy will include development totalling around €360m, which will focus on improving container activities in both the Marseille and Fos harbour area, cruise operations, cruiseship repair and ro-ro services at Marseille. The port authority will also invest in diverse traffic-building activities in Fos, ranging from LNG and dry bulk trades to further industrial implants. At the same time, the strategic plan of the port authority is designed to preserve traditional activities including the oil and petro-chemical sectors in Fos and national/international ro-pax services based in Marseille.

Among projects earmarked for Fos is the development of the land between the two 2XL container terminals which will be transformed into a sole-use quay to accommodate 16,000 teu ships. A combined transport terminal will also be built, similar to the Mourepiane facility under construction in Marseille, where work on the rail links has already commenced. In Marseille, the strategic plan is to upgrade the passenger terminals serving ferry links with Corsica and North Africa aligning with the plan for the renovation of the giant drydock No 10 as a base for cruiseship repair, the widening of access for mega-size cruise vessels and the Mourepiane multimodal terminal.

The port authority said that its focus will be on long-distance rail services which it has identified as crucial to the port’s aim of winning traffic from the northern range and enhancing trade with hinterland markets such as Switzerland, southern Germany and Austria.

(Source: Port Strategy)