CargoBeamer doubles its cross-France piggy-back service
NewsAn innovative rail-based landbridge service down the spine of France is to double frequency on the back of demand from road operators.
All square in the hexagon
There are no big surprises in the latest figures from France’s main ports In tonnage terms the main French ports, after posting strong growth and in some cases record results in 2000, generally regressed last year due mainly to lower oil, coal and cereals traffic. Le Havre was an exception, as total throughput increased 2.2 per cent to 69.5 mt. Its oil traffic rose 5.2 per cent to 45 mt but other bulks declined by 21.3 per cent to 6 mt due mainly to lower import coal demand from EDF.
This factor, along with lower export grains traffic, also had a big impact on Nantes St Nazaire’s results (down 5 percent overall to 30.2 mt). In a new departure, a mixed capital cement terminal is to be set up, in which the Nantes-St Nazaire port authority will have only a 20 per cent share and the private sector 80 per cent. Investors in the E3.8 mill project (of which E2.74 mill is for the unloader) include Ciments d’Atlantique, Eurostockage (storage and bagging specialist) and stevedoring company MTTM. As in the Dunkirk Norvrac model, the labour will be employed by the joint venture and not by the port.
You just read one of our articles for free
To continue reading, subscribe to WorldCargo News
By subscribing you will have:
- Access to all regular and exclusive content
- Discount on selected events
- Full access to the entire digital archive
- 10x per year Digital Magazine