Taylor Wessing advised Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR) on the renewal of the sub-concession for the public port of Arles. Following the advertising and competitive bidding process initiated by CNR, the sub-concession was awarded to a consortium comprising the Arles Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) (35%), NGE Concessions (35%), Banque des Territoires (15%), Caisse d'Épargne (10%), and Compagnie Fluviale de Transport (5%).
This new 25-year sub-concession contract came into force on April 1, 2025, and marks another important milestone for the public port of Arles.
The southernmost public port on the Mediterranean-Rhône-Saône (MeRS) axis, located 50 kilometers from the Port of Marseille Fos, the Port of Arles currently handles 350,000 tons of freight, 95% of which is transported by river. It is the only port in the Rhône Valley capable of accommodating river-sea barges carrying up to 2,700 tons of goods.
The operation of the container terminals at the Port of Lyon by the winning consortium will draw on both the operational expertise of the Arles Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which has been operating the port for over 40 years, and the know-how of the NGE Group, a major player in the construction industry. The contract aims to increase the port's annual traffic by 25% by 2029, with a target of 450,000 tons of river freight per year and 20,000 tons of rail traffic.
To achieve this goal, an initial investment program of €7 million (including €1 million financed by CNR) is planned to modernize the docks, traffic lanes, and handling areas, as well as to build new storage platforms. A significant improvement in the port's environmental performance is also expected.
The total estimated investment over the term of the contract amounts to €11 million, including the acquisition of new handling equipment.
As part of this operation and throughout the procurement process until the contract is signed, Taylor Wessing is advising CNR on public law aspects, with Sophie Pignon (Partner) and Damien Kebdani (Associate).
