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FAQ
Economy
Why enlarging the port in this difficult context ?
A large infrastructure project can be evaluated only in the context of its long-term socio-economic and environmental benefits. These are very long-term ones for Calais Port 2015 project as its new breakdown is planned to last more than 100 years.
Initiated in the early 2000s, its horizon of business plan runs from its commissioning in 2021 until the second half of this century. Traffic forecasts are therefore not based on a perfectly linear growth of trade between Europe and Great Britain but on an average of positive growth, alternating periods of economic growth due to population increase and periods of slowdown.
The decision to implement Calais Port 2015 is not only necessary for the growth and development of the port of Calais, it is the only real option of its long-term sustainability. If the existing facilities can still ensure for several years traffic across the Channel at its current level, once they are outdated, it will be impossible to renew them in situ without affecting the port capacity for very long periods of time. With then a very high risk that the diverted traffic does not come back.
Environment
Several coastal sites suffered during these recent years from the erosion of their beaches and dunes. Does the new port construction entail risks of this kind ?
Maintaining the integrity of the coastline was the major environmental challenge of the project from its inception.
Many expert opinions in hydrology and sedimentology preceded the realization of several 3D digital hydro-sedimentary modelings. The breakwater precise position was then determined in relation to different sandbanks (the Ridens) so that the effects of currents disturb the sediment balance as little as possible.
The findings common to all these studies, conclude to no impact on Calais beach in the West, an acceleration of currents close to the breakwater justifying to protect its base with a rock carpet and at last, a slight fattening for the Eastern port.
Finances
How much will Calais Port 2015 cost ?
Calais Port 2015 represents an investment of 863 million euros financed by :
Equity for € 89 millions provided in share capital and shareholders subordinated debt.
A bond issue amounted to € 504 millions for 40 years subscribed by entities managed by Allianz Global Investors.
Public subsidies up to 270 million euros granted by the Hauts-de-France Nord Pas de Calais – Picardie Région as the grantor authority but also the European Union as part of the “Connecting Europe Facility” and “Motorways of the Sea” programs, the French State, the Department of the Pas-de-Calais, Cap Calaisis and Calais City).
Cf. Finances
Organization
What is the difference between Société d’Exploitation des Ports du Détroit (SEPD) and Société des Ports du Détroit (SPD) ?
Société d’Exploitation des Ports du Détroit is the concessionaire of Boulogne-sur-mer and Calais Ports.
Société des Ports du Détroit is Calais Port 2015 Project Company and funds the extension project.
What is the role of the “Région Hauts-de-France” ?
The “Région Hauts-de-France” is the owner of the unique Boulogne-sur-mer – Calais port. In this capacity, it represents the Port Authority particularly in charge of the port Police, the management of the water and the berths by the Harbour Master House.
Both management and development of the Calais commercial and cross-channel port was given by the Région to a concessionaire : Société d’Exploitation des Ports du Détroit. It is responsible for the administrative and financial management of this concession contract also covering the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer activities. The Regional Council regularly is called upon to deliberate on important decisions for the port as such budgets, investments, funding, projects, …
The Région has however maintained the monitoring and maintenance of the oldest docks and basins (Bassin Carnot, Quai Paul Devot, Bassin du Paradis, jetée Ouest …), and of the marina basin. The Région is also in charge of all movable structures in the port area (locks and moving bridges).
Who will manage the new port ?
Société d’Exploitation des Ports du Détroit will manage the new port of Calais ; this Company currently manages the Port of Boulogne and the existing Port of Calais. The SEPD has the obligation to maintain the new Port for normal regular maintenance and will take charge of major repairs and equipment replacement. The concession lifetime (50 years) exceeds the expected lifetime of some equipment such as the linkspans.
Construction site
What will happen to the old port ?
Calais Port 2015 will be an extension of the port.
The works site, throughout its duration, should not interfere with the activity of the current port. At the new port delivery, the operator will benefit from three additional ferry berths and, depending on traffic and vessel size, manage flows on 6-7 berths.
Cf. Works layout
Is fishing or walking allowed on the new breakwater ?
Fishing or walking is prohibited on the new breakwater.
A service road will be built on the breakwater. But for understandable safety reasons, access will be limited to control and maintenance interventions. This road will be 4 meters wide and crossing areas will be distributed over its 3 km distance.
Will the construction site cause noise or traffic nuisance ?
As usual, the use of many devices and comings and goings to deliver materials on a construction site can be source of nuisances.
But Calais Port 2015 will have limited impact on noise and traffic : on the one hand works take place on a coastal area away from houses and on the other hand, traffic generated by carriers to the construction site has special specific road and access to bypass Calais as they are not allowed to go crossing the City.
When did Calais Port 2015 works start ?
Of course the construction works did not start on the day of the foundation stone-laying ceremony as a symbolic act.
A pyrotechnic decontamination began in spring 2015, followed by the Hoverport deconstruction and infrastructure works.
The Calais Port 2015 project actually started in 2015.
Is the access to the construction site free ?
No. Entrance to the site is forbidden to the public except for monthly visits.
An individual badge as visitor or a permanent personal badge for staff is required to get access.
As soon as you enter the life base car park, safety rules must be observed such as parking ready-to-go and complying with specific speed limits.
The wearing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is compulsory on site : helmet, safety footwear, reflective safety clothing, gloves, glasses and ear plugs.
Employment situation
Will Calais Port 2015 bring jobs ?
Yes.
A construction site of this kind will certainly offer benefits to the local community : first by the economic activity with induced jobs to be created and secondly with the Builder Group direct hiring and indirect jobs from suppliers and subcontractors. The “employment” impact will be of course gradual and spread over the entire period of construction.
Cf. Employment situation
How to apply for Calais Port 2015 ?
Please send your application directly to the Construction Consortium to the following address :
Bouygues Travaux Publics
Groupement Port de Calais 2015
CS 90079
62102 CALAIS Cedex
What structures are likely to hire during building operations ?
Jobs created by Calais Port 2015 are direct, indirect and induced jobs.
There are direct jobs to meet the Design and Construction Joint Venture’s needs for its own staff, plus those of many subcontractors on site such as businesses specialized in construction or leasing out construction equipment, or cleaning companies … and suppliers’ indirect jobs for instance, quarries, carriers, garages.
Lastly, Calais Port 2015 contributes to develop the whole area activity, generating induced employment through consumption of all hired staff, directly or indirectly.