On 15 March, an agreement was reached between the Port of Dunkirk and CEVA Logistics, marking the beginning of a new venture.
The contract entails the allocation of land for CEVA’s development of a state-of-the-art vehicle logistics facility dedicated to sea imports and exports.
Dunkerque-Port has selected CEVA Logistics, CMA CGM’s subsidiary, as a candidate through a competitive Call for Expressions of Interest (AMI). This selection grants CEVA access to a 95,000 sqm plot of land situated in the eastern sector of the Port of Dunkirk in France.
Set within this strategic location, CEVA will establish a comprehensive vehicle logistics park seamlessly integrated with maritime activities, facilitating the smooth flow of imports and exports through the Port of Dunkirk.
The planned site will encompass designed areas for vehicle reception, storage, loading and unloading zones for both trains and vehicle transport trucks. Development is anticipated to commence in October 2024.
Upon completion, CEVA anticipates handling approximately 47,000 vehicles annually, with projections indicating an increase to 95,000 vehicles per year by March 2025. These projections are based on CEVA’s close partnerships with major automakers eager to leverage the Port of Dunkirk as their entry point into France’s battery valley. Notably, the Port of Dunkirk stands as the only European port offering a comprehensive ecosystem tailored to electric mobility.
As part of the development plan, a 600 m² workshop will be constructed to facilitate on-site preparation operations, encompassing tasks such as washing, engraving, plate fitting, and other detailing and mechanical services for up to 50,000 vehicles annually. Additionally, plans include the establishment of a paint shop employing local skilled labour, alongside the installation of electric charging stations and a service station.
In the medium term, CEVA plans to expand its capacity by doubling its existing space with an additional 105,000 square meters of land. This expansion will increase its platform’s total surface area to 200,000 square meters and allow for a parking capacity of 8,700 parking spaces.
CEVA’s fleet comprises 3,000 trucks and 3,000 car-carrier wagons, as well as deep-sea car-carrier vessels.
The introduction of a rail spur will streamline operations, enabling CEVA to expedite turnaround times by reserving one or two rail links per week and assigning a portion of its vehicle transport trucks regularly.
Since the resumption of automobile production, many ports in Northern Europe have faced significant congestion. By establishing operations at the Port of Dunkirk, CEVA aims to bolster automotive hubs and foster the growth of the electric vehicle ecosystem in the Hauts-de-France region.
Furthermore, this expansion will lead to the creation of direct employment opportunities, with plans to recruit 37 individuals on permanent contracts. Additionally, to fulfil tasks outside its primary operations, CEVA will call on subcontractors, prioritizing the involvement of local companies wherever feasible.
“The launch of the new automotive logistics centre at the Port of Dunkirk is a strategic development that will enable us to increase the efficiency and resilience of the supply chains of our customers, exporters and importers. The new location will enhance the region’s logistics potential while supporting our customers’ expansion into new markets. We are proud of this development, which illustrates CEVA Logistics’ commitment to the entire automotive industry, and testifies to our dedication and expertise,” stated Mathieu Friedberg, CEO of CEVA Logistics.
