In partnership with locations4business, the project, Calais Premier, was presented to the British press and business leaders on 29th September 2011.
“This is the first phase of the largest logistics project in northern France”, commented Mayor of Calais, Natacha Bouchart.
The press conference was led by Didier Caudard-Breille on behalf of the developer DCB International. The project was launched in partnership with the city of Calais and the chamber of commerce of Côte d'Opale.
The effort is a major investment on the part of DCB International, and is expected to cost €200 million. The site covers 160 hectares and the project involves the construction of over 200,000 sq. m. of surface space. The first phase of the project is due for completion in 2015. The site is designed to provide logistics buildings, warehouses, cross-docking (24-hour storage) and office premises.
It is an ideal location for freight flows between UK and continental Europe, Caudard-Breille explained. “Calais Premier aims at becoming the goods traffic gateway between UK and continental Europe, particularly in the retail area.” In fact, the wider ambition for Calais is become the most important logistics centre for Western Europe.
Currently, the city suffers from high levels of unemployment. However, Caudard-Breille strongly emphasised the point that Calais Premier offers the promise of a thousand new jobs.
To a large extent, the attraction for British businesses comes down to cost. Prompted on the issue, Caudard-Breille offered the following explanation: It offers a near English location, but with French property and storage prices. Cost and time effectiveness will be major attractions, he said, for not only French and English but also German logistic companies and those of other countries. Within a 300 km radius, Calais reaches 72 million potential consumers.
Caudard-Breille confirmed that talks were taking place with British, as well as French and German logistics providers, but declined to offer any specifics. A partnership with CargoBeamer as the combined transport operator was, nonetheless, freely announced.
A multi-modal logistics hub
The strategy comes at a time when the port of Calais is also expanding heavily. According to current plans, port capacity will double by the time the first phase of Calais Premier is complete. The port already handles 80% of all trans-channel exchange and 60 million tons of cargo per year. Within 15 years, the number of trucks passing the channel is expected to rise from 3 to 15 million annually. At the same time, the number of passengers will reach 250 million, with a total of 50 million vehicles.
In addition, the local railway network is getting a significant upgrade. In time, Calais will have a railway connection all the way to Moscow. As for Calais Premier, it will be linked up directly to this network. Lastly, Calais can also boast an efficient road system.
With the sum off all these developments and existing advantages, choosing Calais became the obvious investment decision, Caudard-Breille concluded.
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The PR effort for the launch was handled by locations4business, and the event recieved coverage across the British press, including in The Times on 3rd October 2011.
For further information on investing in Calais, see their listing.
