BEST* Terminal turns into reality an ambitious project of expanding its hinterland at international level through collaboration with the Port of Bayonne, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in SW France.
The port of Bayonne, historically specialists in bulk, wants to take a step forward in intermodality by implementing a cross-border door-to-door intermodal service. In this way, BEST and the Port of Bayonne have joined forces to offer a new intermodal service to importers and exporters in SW France, through BEST's logistics operator, Synergy, and the transport company GIMEX, based in Navarra (Navarre), Spain.
Trade event on 20 February
Union of the partners of this innovative project will be presented by both parties at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bayonne on 20 February in order to identify potential future users and present the proposal of service offer to the needs of logistics professionals on both sides of the border.
To register
It is understood that the Bayonne Chamber of Commerce, BEST, Synergy and Gimex have inviting shippers, forwarders, logistics companies, transporters, importers and exporters to contact the Sales Management team of the Port of Bayonne for further information and to register for the presentation of the event, either by e-mail at: port@bayonne.cci.fr or by telephone on: +33 05 59 46 58 81.
The port of Bayonne, as a fundamental economic development player in the region, is going to strengthen its logistics offer by using container transport from/to a worldwide market. At the same time, it is an environmentally sustainable logistics hub thanks to the combined use of rail and maritime services thus limiting the impact of the carbon footprint generated.
Experience in intermodal transport by rail that Synergy brings to this framework of collaboration between both ports is undoubtedly a mark of quality and reliability that customers seek in a logistics partner.
By way of example operators’ success stories are its service from BEST to Pamplona, with one daily departure, and the one from BEST to Miranda de Ebro (Burgos), which already has four departures each week, having been in service for a little over a year.
It is reported that added value that these services provide to their clients are: savings of up to eleven days of maritime transit time, offering direct services from Barcelona; and also reliability in the face of the current situation of uncertainty that French ports have been experiencing for several weeks.
*Barcelona Europe South Terminal
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One of Maritime Minister Nusrat Ghani’s last duties before leaving office on 13 February was to make a written statement on Light Dues, the means of financing the marine aids to navigation services of the United Kingdom.
In the document she said: ‘A strong and growing maritime industry is vital to the economy of the United Kingdom and it is critical that we treasure and protect this vital artery if we are to remain a world-leading maritime centre.
‘The work of the General Lighthouse Authorities2, which provide and maintain marine aids to navigation and respond to new wrecks and navigation dangers in some of the busiest waters in the world, is crucial to underpinning that vision whilst maintaining our vigorous safety record and continuously improving standards of safety.
‘Reductions in the three General Lighthouse Authorities’ running costs have enabled the UK to reduce light dues on four occasions since 2014. For 2020 to 2021 I intend to freeze light dues rates at 37½ pence per net registered tonne. This will mean that light dues will have fallen by 30% in real terms since 2010.
‘Light dues rates will continue to be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that the General Lighthouse Authorities are challenged to provide an effective and efficient service which offers value for money to light dues payers.’
New hubs of business and enterprise will be opened across the UK creating thousands of jobs, regenerating communities and turbocharging Britain’s post-Brexit growth, the Government announced on 10 February.
Up to ten new innovative Freeports will be opened across the UK as the Government seeks to level up the country and seize on the opportunities leaving the EU has presented. This was the style of a news item delivered on behalf of HM Treasury.
A consultation has been launched setting out the Government’s vision for Freeports, with the aim of announcing the location of the new zones at the end of this year so they can be open for business in 2021.
It is understood that once the ten-week consultation is completed, the Government will invite sea, air and rail ports to bid for Freeport status on a competitive basis.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Rishi Sunak, said: ‘Freeports will unleash the potential in our proud historic ports, boosting and regenerating communities across the UK as we level up. They will attract new businesses, spreading jobs, investment and opportunity to towns and cities up and down the country.
‘This is all part of our mission as an open, outward-looking country, championing global free trade with vibrant Freeports that work for all of the UK.’
