Creation of SEMOP Ports du Calvados
Formerly divided between 11 different concessionaires, the ports owned by the Calvados département have had a single operator since January 1, 2023, with an 18-year concession. The new operator is the single-operator semi-public company SEMOP Ports du Calvados. This change, which may appear to be purely administrative, is more far-reaching than that, and reflects the political will of the Département, explains Antoine de Gouville, Managing Director of the new structure: "The legal change is a project in itself. In the 7 ports owned by the Département, at Isigny-sur-Mer, Grandcamp-Maisy, Port-en-Bessin-Huppain, Dives-Cabourg-Houlgate, Courseulles, Deauville-Trouville and Honfleur, there were a total of 11 concessionaires, sometimes including communes, the CCI de Caen, yacht clubs and private companies. The Département wanted to rationalize management. We therefore had to bring together very different cultures. The SEMOP structure allows us to leave a majority private shareholding, in this case with the CCI and Copeport, in addition to the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignation and the Département. We combine the skills and mindset of the private sector, while keeping the Département, the owner, around the table."
Distribution of roles
The change of management is an opportunity to clarify and standardize the roles of each party, as the 7 departmental ports have different habits. The local authority, as owner, is responsible for major investments in infrastructure, quays, locks and buildings, as well as major maintenance and dredging. Ports du Calvados, for its part, is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the facilities, but also invests in light equipment such as pontoons, and services. Antoine de Gouville explains: "We are counting on an average budget of around 1 Meuros per year over the duration of the concession."
Attracting boaters
The new operator aims to revitalize yachting in Calvados through a number of different initiatives. Its general manager explains: "Calvados marinas are no longer as full as they were 15 years ago. Overall, supply exceeds demand. We need to support yachting enthusiasts to fill up the harbors again, by developing the service offer, so that eventually, whatever the type of boat, they will take the step of buying or sharing. We plan to set up a multi-support, multi-sport boat club, to encourage inter-port cruising with an incentive-based pricing system, and to set up a structured, consistent service offering in our ports. The port can play an intermediary role with professionals, for example by offering professional handling and careening services. We also need to digitalize customer relations in ports, especially the smaller ones. Last but not least, we need to link up the port with the local area, as the port is a lever for tourism and the economy. All our ports, for example, are linked by the Vélomaritime, and cycle tourists have similar needs to our customers. We're also working on quality floating accommodation."
The challenges are many for the manager, who has taken on the operational staff of former dealers and is recruiting in support areas, aiming rapidly to reach a headcount of 70.
