Creation of the Loire-Atlantique mixed port association
The Loire-Atlantique département is to create a new structure to manage its ports. The future "syndicat mixte portuaire" is due to be created by prefectoral decree on January 1, 2020. It will bring together 14 ports and a total of 4,600 berths. In addition to the département, it will be made up of the communes and intercommunalités concerned: Piriac-sur-Mer, Préfailles, La Plaine-sur-Mer, Saint-Michel-Chef-Chef, Le Croisic, La Turballe, Pornic and Pornic Agglo Pays de Retz.
Port management and shared maintenance
At a time when all marina managers are anticipating changes in navigation patterns and the development of services for pleasure boaters, the Loire-Atlantique département is drawing inspiration from the successful pooling of resources by its neighbors in Morbihan and Finistère. The new structure will nonetheless have to cope with a variety of existing statuses, between directly managed ports and those delegated by local authorities, for which public-private partnerships are in progress. When asked about the intention to generalize régies, the head of the department's communications in this area believes that it is too early. "For example, Piriac's DSP is due to expire in 2031. Today, the CCI is a partner with whom we have a good relationship."
The syndicat mixte will also facilitate the maintenance and development of marinas. In particular, it will be responsible for major investments such as dyke and quay maintenance and dredging operations. The department insists on its greater capacity to find external financing from the Region, the State and Europe. It will also be working on development projects for the ports of La Turballe, Pornic and Piriac-sur-Mer.
Like its neighbors, the department says it wants to carry out "engineering missions on behalf of third parties".
Promoting boating
The creation of the Syndicat Mixte Portuaire de Loire-Atlantique comes at a time when the département is keen to promote boating on its territory. To attract yachtsmen to its ports of call or beaches, it intends to showcase its offer and infrastructures. A dedicated internet portal will be launched for the 2019 season.
