BrestPort was set up in 2021 to handle operations at the commercial Port of Brest with a 40-year concession. The longevity of the contract is a revolutionary step, never-before-seen in France, and represents a strong commitment to the development of the Port of Brest and the surrounding area. It will also enable the Port to embrace the energy transition. CEO Christophe Chabert explained more to Hannah Barnett.
The Port of Brest has historic roots, stretching back to 1631 when it was built as a military port. The Port continued to evolve over the ensuing centuries and its latest chapter, under new management by BrestPort, reflects a shared vision for the future. A total of €900m will be invested over a 40-year period, including an initial injection of €500m for the first 10 years.
The change of management marked a significant step which accelerated the path to investment. Owner and concessioning authority, Région Bretagne, gave the green light, following approval by the Port’s other shareholders, Brest Métropole and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“We had to have a long-term approach,” explained Christophe Chabert, CEO. “We needed to bring together investments for infrastructure and for equipment. The region and owner created an external company, BrestPort, to operate everything
“We succeed today because we have this new company, we have the confidence of our shareholders and of the owner. We now have a solid chunk of investment to guide us into the next 40 years on a decarbonisation path. The
climate change challenge is not in opposition with industry developments. In fact, it gives us the opportunity to create new, sustainable energy solutions. I think Brest, France and Europe have all the conditions necessary to succeed.”
A programme of change
Following the recent windfall investment, the Port of Brest will expand its traditional activities, centred on logistics and cargo handling, by diversifying the business sectors it manages. This major step means the Port will contribute to the development of offshore renewable energies, as well as establishing public-private partnerships and incubating maritime businesses. The company is therefore investing heavily in infrastructure.
“At the harbour we will create a new space of 40 hectares and a new MRE
(Marine Renewable Energies) quay of 400 metres, alongside the 200 hectares of concessions we already have,” said Mr Chabert. “This will allow us to be ready for offshore wind development in France, specifically floating offshore wind. So, we are going through geographical change with the new harbour, and an organisational change, with the establishment of BrestPort, the new company to manage it.”
BrestPort is also investing in new logistics terminals, which will be ready in 2025 and 2026. “We want to develop our logistics area to have one place for trains, ships and lorries,” Mr Chabert explained. “We will therefore be ready
for the future with more logistics via train and less via the road.”
2.8 million tonnes of goods with 700 port of calls pass through the Port of Brest each year and the company has increased turnover by 4% over the last year to an impressive €22 million. BrestPort currently employs 90 persons, that generates around 2,500 jobs in the closest area, with the goal to increase it to 6,000 to meet the expansion of infrastructure.
“We have an engineering team in place to respond to this new work and are expanding the team to be ready for the future,” said Mr Chabert. “But we also must reinforce our strong industrial capability.”
Working together
To help improve said industrial capability, port services, anchored around the dry dock and the boat lift, will soon be able to handle up to 650 tonnes in weight. Working alongside the Lorient and Concarneau shipyards along the coast, BrestPort will offer additional berthing capacity on pontoons for medium-sized vessels and sea access for key industrial and logistics players.
“We need the capability to repair small Navy vessels, as we are located close to the Navy base, as well as the offshore wind farm service vessels,” explained Mr Chabert. “Yacht and cruise ships are increasing in numbers in Brittany, so we want to service them too. We want the capacity in our harbour to repair anything from the biggest ships in the world to the smallest.”
Like any successful port operator, the company must work closely with partners and suppliers to ensure success, especially when it come to the number and scale of the developments scheduled for the next few years.
“The Port cannot operate alone,” Mr Chabert explained. “We must work in cooperation with others. For example, with offshore wind, it wouldn’t be possible to manage all the logistics on our own. That means we will work together to propose the best solution and put in place a real capability with which to enter the renewables market.”
As a result, BrestPort is set to modernise its ship repair facility to be more environmentally friendly. It will have tanks specifically for the transfer of low carbon fuels like LNG and hydrogen, along with offering electrical onshore connections for ships.
The company also has its own sustainability targets, namely to reduce its carbon footprint by 66% by 2040, as well as ensuring employment across the Port.
“It is also important that the new activity will support the agriculture and export side of the Port,” Mr Chabert added. “The
Brittany region exports a lot of foods like chicken, potatoes and grains. BrestPort will also invest in ship repair and be one of the leaders for the development of offshore wind. We will combine all this to be ready for the future.”
Four
decades and more
With so much going on at the Port of Brest, there are also plenty of obstacles to overcome.
“Yes, there are a lot of challenges,” said Mr Chabert. “I think what will be very important is to ensure that the industry will be able to incorporate green solutions. We need to move fast to be ready. It’s a challenge for new markets, but there are a lot of offshore wind projects today in Western Europe. We need to upgrade to serve this market for the long-term and to find a balance, while also accommodating and accounting for the historical traffic in the port.
“Our geographical position is a benefit because we are at the northwestern edge of France, very near the Celtic Sea wind developments. I think our location will be advantageous specifically in development of renewable energy.”
BrestPort may exist to oversee ships and harbours, but for Mr Chabert, it is the human element that makes his job so enjoyable.
“My work is about the management of people,” he concluded. “No company can succeed without the people that make it up. It is our main asset, far more than a quay or a crane or anything like that. People are the most important element in any successful company.” n
