New general manager for Port-Camargue
The Port-Camargue autonomous board, in charge of the marina located at the mouth of the Rhone, has appointed a new general manager as of April 2021. Jean-Romain Brunet succeeds Michel Cavaillès at the head of the marina, which has more than 5,000 berths. Appointed by the municipality led by Robert Crauste and the board of directors of the board, he was for 2 years adviser to the president of the Occitania Region for the sea, tourism and thermalism, after having led the plan Littoral 2021 between 2017 and 2019. Device led by the State and the Region with a budget of more than 1 billion euros, it has notably financed experiments on floating habitat or a strategic study on marinas. Jean-Romain Brunet answers BoatIndustry's questions about his missions at the head of Port-Camargue.
What is your roadmap at the head of Port-Camargue?
The mayor of Grau-du-Roi has had a very maritime vision of his territory since his election in 2014, both for the inhabitants and as a tourist destination. Port-Camargue will continue its dynamic of innovation that makes it unique and position itself as a port for the emergence of new experiences in yachting. This will involve, for example, services and new leisure offers, easier access to navigation and simplification of the practice for existing owners. We are going to have a targeted marketing strategy to choose our clientele and not be subjected to it. Without falling into youthism, we must attract the 30-50 year olds and not miss out on the new generation of boaters who are coming. Reaching out to neo-retirees
Port-Camargue must also assert itself as a high environmental quality destination. We are already a pilot in the recycling of dredged sediments. A port of our size is able to have the most precise control possible over environmental issues. The new generations have new requirements and we can no longer afford to do greenwashing. It is also a guarantee of confidence for public authorities and private partners.
The third aspect is to consolidate the links with the entire maritime community (inhabitants and professionals). We already have democratic tools such as the port committee, which have a legitimacy to be consolidated. We are always stronger when everyone is on the same page!
Are there any investments planned, especially with the nautical professionals?
The details will become clearer, but we can already talk about some subjects. Investments are to come in the dynamics of the preparation of the 2024 Olympic Games to be able to propose a place adapted to international teams wishing to come and train. There is also a desire to create a place for companies to welcome biodiversity.
My first mission in the first few weeks will be to meet with the port's companies to understand their expectations. There will be actions in connection with the national recovery plan. With the cancellation of events such as the Port Camargue Boat Show, we will have to invent other ways of working with them. In short, we must be able with Port-Camargue to answer the problems of end of month of the companies and to reflect on those of the XXIst century.
