DP World has enhanced its European inland network, adding three ports in the Alsace region through its affiliate company, Swissterminal.
Earlier this month, the public authority Syndicat Mixte des Ports du Sud Alsace (SMO) awarded the concession contract of the Ports of Mulhouse-Rhin to the public-private company composed of the SMO, the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations and Alsaceteam, which is a joint venture of Swissterminal and the two French seaports Grand Port Maritime de Marseille and Haropa Port du Havre.
The operation of the three French inland ports is granted through a sub-delegation contract to Alsaceterminal, a wholly owned subsidiary of Swissterminal, according to a statement, which will take over Ottmarsheim, Huningue-Village-Neuf and Ile Napoléon ports in the course of 2021.
DP World believes it will be able to offer a greater geographic range, increased transport solutions and a bigger number of connections following its European network expansion.
The UAE-based global operator said, “It [the network expansion] will improve transport connections in the border triangle region between France, Switzerland and Germany, which holds such economic importance for numerous industries such as chemicals, metals, food processing, and construction.”
The strategic location of the ports is also expected to grow in significance in the near future, according to DP World, as new rail connections will link them to the two main French seaports of Le Havre and Marseille-Fos, while inland shipping to the largest Hamburg-Le Havre range ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp will be strengthened.
“We continue to strive to introduce more products, improve efficiency and reliability, while of course reducing our carbon footprint and that of our customers through more sustainable inland transport methods, such as barge and rail,” commented Rob Harrison, vice president inland & logistics – Europe & Russia at DP World.
“Swissterminal and its partners have committed to improving transport connections within Europe across the supply chain, especially within the border triangle region, and DP World will support those commitments where it can, while also offering the benefits of its wider European and global network, resource and facilities,” he added.
