Environmental concerns over Marseille Fos development

Concerns were raised at a public enquiry in February over the proposed Mourepiane Combined Transport Terminal development in the harbour area bordering the city, with noise and emissions pollution being of particular concern to locals.

Acknowledging these concerns, the port authority’s supervisory board has agreed that the overall project should be modified to reinforce the ‘harmonious integration’ required under the City-Port Charter.

Whilst the detail of the amendments is not yet known, it was agreed in principle that short-term works estimated at €10-12m for essential upgrading of the existing facilities will press ahead. More dialogue is needed in the coming months to determine the changes that will be required to the remainder of the project.

Stressing this would have no impact outside the port perimeter, the board said the work was essential to support the indispensable growth of rail transport and accompanying growth in both container and ro-ro traffic.

Ultimately the Mourepiane project is also intended as an urban development handling the Marseille region’s continental traffic. The board said the interim work would be conceived in a way that preserves the potential alliance of this traffic with port business.

Pointing out that the port generates 18,000 jobs, the board added that its decisions underlined both a commitment to the port’s economic development and a wish to fully contribute in devising a new and mutually beneficial urban project.