DUBAI: P&O Ports, a subsidiary of Dubai’s DP World, one of the world’s largest port operators, has won a three-year management contract to operate the container terminal in the Port de Sete in the south of France. The agreement can be converted to a long-term concession in the future, the company said in a statement carried by state news agency WAM. The contract will see P&O Ports operating a container yard with a draft up to 14.5m draft with 457 metres of quay and adjacent two hectares land. The container terminal is expected to commence operations in October.
Port de Sete is a deep draft port, handling frozen, chilled, general and breakbulk cargo, containers and livestock alongside cruise and ferry terminals, a marina, cement handling facilities and an agro-industrial complex, WAM said. It forms part of the network of feeder routes in Italy, Spain and France with access to major hubs throughout the Mediterranean, the road and rail network of southern France and major businesses located in the region.
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, chairman of Ports Customs and Freezones Corporation, in Dubai, said: “Port De Sete has great potential and is ready to become another gateway port for France. “In the early stages it will continue to primarily cater for feeder services in the eastern Mediterranean, the Maghreb region and North Africa. Once development takes place with the backing of our regional partners we expect to see more multinational shippers use its services with other international destinations added over time.”
