Synergy, rail operator of the Hutchison Ports BEST terminal, continues to aim for growth in France. To the service between Barcelona and Noain, which has been operating for more than ten years, from where it mainly serves the area of Baiona, Pau and Las Landes, in November 2023 the launch of a direct service between the city of Barcelona and Toulouse was added. which today has three weekly rotations.
In this way, the BEST logistics operator has managed to offer Occitania customers the advantages that it had already been offering in Aquitaine through the Noain terminal. “As in Navarra, we want to offer a competitive, quality and sustainable service, bringing our clients one of the most modern and efficient container terminals in the world, with more than 200 direct maritime connections,” indicates Pablo García, director general manager of Hutchison Logistics Synergy, who recalls that BEST is one of the most sustainable and technologically advanced terminals in the Mediterranean.
Nathalie Thomas (port of Barcelona), with Alberto Jiménez and Pablo García in the previous edition of Agri’Vrac
As the port of Barcelona has the three European gauges, this new service does not require changing locomotives or making any type of stop on the Spanish-French border, “which guarantees a product of maximum reliability,” indicates Pablo García. “This is a direct service between both cities thanks to a special locomotive that can circulate in both countries and to the Perthus tunnel that connects France and Spain. For now, this possibility does not exist on the side of the Basque Country; “But we will continue to give our customers in Aquitaine the best service as before with our trains to Noain and then continuing by truck.”
In the same way as it does in all other railway terminals (it has two other interior terminals in Miranda de Ebro and Agoncillo), Synergy will provide an all-inclusive service. “In addition to the train, we have trucks for the last mile and we have our own customs department to help our clients,” comments its general director, referring to Cargo Solutions, its department created in 2021 to offer customs solutions to freight forwarders and shipping companies.
Synergy offers services in Noain (Navarra), Miranda de Ebro (Burgos) and Agoncillo (La Rioja)
Comprehensive quality service
Thanks to integration into the European Union, South-West clients continue to ship directly with French customs, only needing a T1 in the case of imports and a DAE clearance for exports. Services that Cargo Solutions is responsible for offering. “Our clients carry out all their customs procedures with French customs,” emphasizes Pablo García.
“The majority of our clients choose to continue making their shipments in France. That is, they continue to carry out customs as they do when working through French ports. They simply need a T1 in the case of imports and a finalization of the DAE in the case of exports; service that Cargo Solutions is in charge of offering so that our French clients continue working as they have always done, so they do not need to change anything,” emphasizes Pablo García.
Cargo Solutions manages customs clearance for French clients without changes to their processes
Through Cargo Solutions, the BEST terminal ensures rigorous control of the merchandise within its facilities and assumes with full commitment the responsibilities that arise, thanks to its AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) and ADT (Temporary Deposit Warehouse) certification.
Pol Clivillé, head of the Cargo Solutions department, explains that “thanks to our figures of customs representative and transit dispatcher, we offer all existing customs solutions: dispatches, issuance and completion of transits, customs services and issuance of G5 messages, among others. . In addition, being located in the same terminal, we also perform the Physical Recognition service of merchandise within BEST, on behalf of our clients.”
Pol Clivillé (Cargo Solutions) and Pablo García (Synergy)
