A unique infrastructure
Since its creation in 1993, Port Navy Service has continued to grow, and is now Europe's largest dry port. Set in a 22-hectare park, Port Navy Services is equipped to accommodate boats from 8 to 35m. To best meet the needs of yachtsmen, Port Navy Service is home to several service companies: mechanics, riggers, electricians, stringers and a shipchandler, Accastillage Diffusion.
The 16,000 m² buildings also house a restaurant and yacht club.
New handling capacities
Already equipped with a 50-ton travelift, a new gantry crane capable of handling ships up to 120 tons was delivered in February 2020. This powerful lifting equipment has been coupled with a dock capable of handling vessels up to 8.15 m wide. These new handling facilities will complement the Parklev trailers, which can transport catamarans weighing up to 25 tons. To date, almost 200 catamarans are stored on the dock.
A telescopic crane can also handle masts of up to 40 metres. Last but not least, a 10-meter-wide launching ramp with a useful passage of 13 meters completes the system.
" With all these facilities, we offer a unique service in the Mediterranean" says Philippe Froment, "m ut we haven't revolutionized anything. We have progressively developed our infrastructure in line with developments in the yachting market. In 2020, we inaugurated a new 8-hectare storage area. After in-depth work to ensure the stability of the soil, and numerous site surveys to make the site viable. We have installed the water and electricity networks needed to power the dry boats, as well as a network of surveillance cameras. This new area will enable us to store almost 600 additional boats."
A new afloat port
And Philippe Froment has no intention of stopping there. He plans to create a new 100-slip marina in the cove in front of the existing dry dock. Port Navy Services will provide around 50 berths for yachtsmen, and another 50 berths for yachting professionals.
With an available depth of 8 m, the new port, scheduled for opening in 2023, will be able to accommodate large vessels. " We try to develop our company with a long-term vision, so that our infrastructures fit in as well as possible with the local environment. We plan to invest nearly 9 million euros over the next 5 years. Our marina will be built on piles rather than underwater anchors. Thanks to the dynamism and support of the Port Saint-Louis du Rhône town council, we are integrating our project into that of the municipality, which is seeking to develop a major hub dedicated to boating." And continue to attract new customers from abroad: " 65% of our customers are French or from neighboring Mediterranean countries, and 35% come from Northern Europe. Today, we have a team of 9 employees dedicated solely to managing the port."
