Leading French cargo port Marseilles has followed the example of west coast rival Le Havre by introducing an “emergency” incentive package to compensate shipping companies and other customers affected by the strikes which have been disrupting activity at French ports since early December.
The Mediterranean port, which is second to Le Havre for container throughput, estimates that it has lost revenues totalling €200 (US$216.3) million as a result of the strikes, which are part of a nationwide union campaign against government plans to reform France’s retirement pension system.
Marseilles’ action plan looks to be more ambitious than Le Havre’s, however. It provides for financial incentives totalling €5 (US$5.40) million for shipping and other transport companies, compared to €3 (US$3.24) million at Le Havre.
Regional authority Région Sud is also participating in the port’s action. It has promised to provide “exceptional” aid totalling €3 (US$3.24) million for local companies experiencing difficulties as a result of business lost during the strikes.
Port authority chairman Hervé Martel said, “These immediate and unprecedented emergency measures are aimed at restoring the dynamism of the port on very competitive markets and thanking our clients for the trust they have placed in the Marseilles-Fos port complex.”
Shipping companies in the container and other general cargo trades will get rebates of up to 30% on their port dues and other port service costs, while hauliers will be compensated for time lost at container terminals while industrial action was in progress.
The port estimates that its container traffic fell 25% during the 13 days of strikes between 5 December and the end of January. The strikes have still not been officially called off, but there has been little action since the end of January.
Marseilles’ container throughput increased 4% last year to a record 1.5 million TEU but the port estimated that the increase would have been 7% without the disruption caused by the strikes.
