Marseilles seeks tenant for dry-docks

The Port of Marseilles Authority is seeking bids for the use of drydock No. 10 ? one of the world?s largest at 465 x 85 metres ? and the surrounding site of around 10 hectares.

A tender document to be issued in January will invite proposals in four lots, one of which includes the drydock, a 300m quay and adjacent areas of yard and water. The other lots comprise various tracts of hard standing and water, one with 150m of quay and the others with buildings such as warehousing and offices.

Priority will be given to industrial projects, notably relating to the repair of large merchant ships and super yachts. Since September the port?s No. 8 and 9 dry-docks, respectively 320m and 250m long, have been leased under an 18-year deal to Spain?s Union Naval Barcelona, which operates the facility through its specially formed subsidiary Union Naval Marseille.