Transport maritime
Published on: 04/08/2024 By: Nathalie Bureau du Colombier Reading: 3 min.
The Marseille-Fos freight forwarders’ union will stretch to Rhône-Alpes in 2024. The announcement was made on April 5, at the end of the annual general meeting of the professional union, which re-elected the co-chaired by the tandem Delphine Chouin and Stéphane Salvetat.
A few hours before the “Dead Ports” operation at the call of the National Federation of Ports and Docks CGT, the general assembly of Marseille-Fos freight forwarders unionwhich was held on April 5 at the Château de la Pioline in Bouches-du-Rhône, inevitably addressed the impacts of the dockers’ persistent strikes for months and the lack of visibility which weighs on their own organization.
« The STM is very worried about the consequences of such a movement which is part of a very complicated international situation. », remind the duo at the presidency, Stéphane Salvetat and Delphine Chouin, re-elected for a new two-year term.
« We represent freight and we are trapped in a blocked relationship between the FNPD and the government », They argue, worried to see French logistics demoted to the second division.
Especially since at the same time, the regular line companies are reorganizing their services via the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the Red Sea area, prey to attacks by the Houthis and are making trade-offs between the ports served by the mother ships or the feeders. “ We risk seeing the mother ships leave the Fos or Le Havre stopover », worries Delphine Chouin.
Bad signal
For freight forwarders, this is a bad signal as the port areas of France, which have land, attract industrialists. France is also preparing to host the Olympic Games, recalls François Daniel Daniel, general delegate of Union TLF Overseas of which the STM is a member. “ We know that in 2024, economic activity will not be good », they worry.
« The start of the year was difficult for containerized flows and ro-ro traffic. Marseille-Fos suffered ship delays at the start of the year,” confirmed Rémi Julien, Chairman of the Management Board of MGI. With this new strike notice, “ we do not know if the conflict will be limited to one day or will be prolonged, which poses organizational difficulties ».
A rapprochement with Rhône-Alpes freight forwarders
Among the major subjects discussed during the AGM, the need to move forward on the 400,000 volt line in Fos to decarbonize industry and creation of a large union of Marseille-Lyon freight forwarders this year, notably to align with “the orientations taken by the Interport and Logistics Coordination Council of the Mediterranean-Rhône Saône axis ».
Rhône-Alpes freight forwarders are not organized into a professional union. “ Many head offices have subsidiaries or establishments in Marseille, like Fatton or Clasquin », specify the co-presidents.
“Known Shipper” Status
Among the technical and regulatory subjects linked to air transport, the STM pointed out the application since April 1, ahead of schedule by France, of a European regulation enforceable from October which concerns perfume barrels of 25 liters of Grasse.
« Shippers using these drums must obtain the status of ” known charger“ by the DGAC. In the absence of approval, their transport will be prohibited with the consequence of a risk of this traffic escaping from France to more tolerant airport areas. », underline the presidents of the STM.
A few weeks before the European elections
The TLF Union, which sits at Medef, has European deadlines in its sights. “ We need to establish competitive European logistics, organize planning for the decarbonization of transport while ensuring that European regulations are not an obstacle to import/export flows. The European customs code is interpreted differently according to the States creating imbalances in Northern Europe », Explains Joël Gluzman, president of TLF Overseas. The meeting with the European candidates has been set for April 18.
Nathalie Bureau du Colombier
2024-04-07 23:17:13
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