Port takes major step in implementation of port reform

Further to signing the local procedure of implementation of French port reform, the port of Le Havre has strengthened its position as Western Europe's major seaport for world trade.


In Le Havre, negotiations were held in an open-minded spirit and a constructive industrial climate, which made it possible to sign all the local agreements. The new procedures, thus, will be fully operational in the port from May 3.


The port reform aims at restoring the competitiveness of French ports in a very competitive environment, thus carrying on the move initiated in the 1990s with cargo-handling reform.


Beginning with the creation of the title "Grand Port Maritime du Havre" (replacing "Port Autonome du Havre"), the governance of the port authority has been thoroughly modernised to better meet the challenges of the competing major ports.


The Management Board, the Supervisory Board, the Development Board and the Scientific Council of the Seine Estuary are the main components of it, allowing for improved participation of the establishment in decision-making.


Being the last stage of the local process of implementation of port reform, the signing of the tripartite agreements allows the shifting of the quay gantry crane operators to cargo-handling companies, who had expressed their confidence in the port by making significant investments. Of the around 300 million euros of private investment in the new Port 2000 terminals, more than 30 million euros was invested by terminal operators in 2010 in order to take over equipment and tools. From now on, the latter can profit by the organisation and guarantees necessary to operate and develop their business long-term at the port.


Adopted in April 2009, the port's strategic plan sets its main objectives over the 2009-13 period. It prioritises containers, new vehicles/ro-ro and liquid bulk trades, especially chemicals.


Le Havre—which has a major industrial zone of Europe—ranks among the top 5 North-European container ports.


In order to achieve its strategic objectives, the port management will rely on its essential levers, i.e., logistics, sustainable management and development of the land, services accessible to vessels and ships, connections to the hinterland—through the challenge of consolidation and multimodality—and the Seine Artery owing to the inter-port cooperation agreed between Paris, Rouen and Le Havre, according to Exim News Service.
(Source:http://www.transportweekly.com)