Launch of the first ever motorway of the sea between France and Spain, operated by GLD Atlantique.
Paris, 5th July 2010 – LOUIS DREYFUS ARMATEURS group and its Italian partner GRIMALDI have announced through their jointly-owned subsidiary, GLD ATLANTIQUE, the forthcoming opening of the first Franco-Spanish motorway of the sea, linking the ports of Nantes Saint-Nazaire and Gijón. This follows the signing of a joint declaration on projects for two motorways of the sea between France and Spain by Dominique BUSSEREAU, the French Minister of State responsible for Transport, and his Spanish counterpart Magdalena ALVAREZ, back in February 2009.
The official inauguration and launch of this first-ever motorway of the sea between France and Spain will take place in September.
The route will be plied by a RoPax (Roll-on/Roll-off Passenger) ship with a capacity of 150 trailers and 800 passengers.
GLD ATLANTIQUE intends initially to operate three weekly return trips on this new line, increasing the frequency (to seven trips) in order to encourage a greater modal shift.
The purpose of the new motorway of the sea is to relieve congestion on roads crossing the Pyrenees (especially the N10 trunk road) and reduce the environmental impact of freight transport by offering a modal shift from road to sea. The latter is very much in line with the goals set by the Grenelle Environment Round Table organized by French Minister Jean-Louis BORLOO, insofar as France’s stated aim is to increase the proportion of non-road freight from 14% to 25% by 2020.
The forthcoming launch of this service underscores the strong commitment of both the French and Spanish governments and the two European partners, LOUIS DREYFUS ARMATEURS and GRIMALDI, to the motorway of the sea concept, and their faith in the “FRES MOS” (“France España Motorways of the Seas”) scheme.
FRES MOS is one of twenty-two actions selected by the European Commission to benefit from the Marco Polo Programme in 2010. As such, it will receive four million euros in funding.
GLD ATLANTIQUE enjoyed excellent cooperation from the ports of Gijón and Nantes Saint-Nazaire throughout the preparatory phase. Given their previous experience of motorways of the sea, LOUIS DREYFUS ARMATEURS and GRIMALDI are only too aware of the extent to which the success of such a project hangs on the ports’ involvement. The unconditional pledges of support and investment received from both ports are an additional guarantee of the Montoir-Gijón line’s future success.
About LOUIS DREYFUS ARMATEURS group
LOUIS DREYFUS ARMATEURS (LDA) has been one of the world’s acknowledged experts in dry-bulk shipping and logistics for more than 160 years. Boasting a thirty-strong fleet that includes floating cranes, tugs and barges, plus integrated port services, LDA can offer its transport chain customers a complete range of solutions.
In recent years, LDA has turned its attention to high value-added niche markets, entering into partnerships with some of the leading names in the industry, not least Alcatel-Lucent (submarine cable laying), CGGVeritas (offshore seismic exploration) and Airbus (shipping of aircraft components). LDA’s recent acquisition of Fairmount Marine means that it can also offer a comprehensive selection of services to support the offshore industry.
Last but not least, LDA has proactively diversified into RoRo freight and passenger ferries. As a result, its subsidiary LD LINES is now a major player in the cross-Channel market for regular and passenger services.
LD LINES is energetically pioneering the motorway of the sea concept and is regarded as France’s leading player in this area. By introducing RoRo and RoPax lines between France, North Africa, Italy and now Spain, the company has forged an innovative link in the transport chain that is both economical and environmentally-friendly.
About GRIMALDI group
With a long experience dating back to 1947, the Grimaldi Group is specialised in the operation of roll-on/roll-off vessels, car carriers and ferries. It is a dedicated supplier of integrated logistics services based on maritime transport to the world’s major vehicle manufacturers. Through its maritime services, the Naples-based Group also transports containers, palletised/unitised cargo and passengers.
Throughout the years, the Group rapidly developed and now serves over 130 ports in 45 countries in the Mediterranean Sea, North Europe, West Africa, North and South America. The shore personnel and crew exceeds 8,000 people.
In recent years, the Grimaldi Group has also evolved to become a multimodal transport operator offering “door to door” logistics services.
The Group has also invested in the development of the Motorways of the Sea in the Mediterranean Sea introducing new and modern ro-pax ferries. Currently the Group’s network covers Italy, Spain, Malta, Tunisia, Libya and Greece for the transport of trailers, cars and passengers.
Finally, the Grimaldi Group is the first Italian shipping company to have obtained the SMS, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications for Safety, Quality and Environment.
About Grand Port Maritime de Nantes Saint-Nazaire
Founded by a decree dated 9th October 2008, pursuant to the French Ports Reform Act dated 4th July 2008, the Nantes Saint-Nazaire Port Authority is a public enterprise corporation. The Port Authority is charged with implementing public policies on sustainable planning and development, while managing compromises between economic, employment and environmental concerns. It is therefore entrusted with several missions: the provision, operation and maintenance of maritime accesses, policing, safety and security, port property development, nature conservation, the construction and maintenance of infrastructures, the promotion of rail and inland waterway service provisions, the development and management of industrial and logistical activity zones and general promotion.
With a total traffic of about 30 million tonnes, Port Atlantique Nantes Saint-Nazaire is the fourth French Major Seaport Authority. Over 3 000 merchant vessels call at the Nantes Saint- Nazaire Port Authority’s facilities each year. These logistical activities generate 16 000 jobs in the Loire Estuary region. They create 2.7 thousand million euros in total added value and more than 26 000 jobs in the regions of Western France as a whole. As a multimodal hub, the Port makes available efficient, doorstep services that serve to optimize supply and distribution chains.
About Port of Gijón
Located on the North coast of Spain, Port of Gijón is the Spanish port leader in dry bulk traffic and is one of the most advanced in the world regarding unloading and storage of products such as iron and coal. The port is also equipped with terminals dedicating to cement or food and agriculture products.
Port of Gijón has also excellent communications by road and railway.
The Port moves more than 20.5 million tons/year and contributes with 11% of the regional GDP.
Regarding general cargo, container traffic doubles every year since 2005. Its shipping lines and efficiency turn Port of Gijón into an import/export logistic opportunity in the Atlantic Arc.
Among world main operators working with Port of Gijón: ARCELOR-MITTAL and EDP-HC Energy, and SMEs benefiting from the connections to more than 250 ports all over the world.
Latest important rearrangements (new dry bulk terminal, multipurpose terminal, double accesses…) will no doubt allow the Port of Gijón to reinforce its position of Spanish port leader in the Atlantic Arc.
