Marseilles agrees post-reform labour transfer deal

The transfer of cargo handling to private operators was a key requirement of French port reform law passed in July last year, which prompted the post-reform strategy adopted by Marseilles Fos this April.

Under the agreement the port authority has pledged to support container activity in the Marseilles harbour by taking a “minority but significant” stake in Intramar.

The authority says that the agreement improves on the national framework for transfer arrangements and responds to concerns expressed by affected members of its workforce. It adds that the deal brings to an end several weeks of labour disruption at the Mourepiane terminal, which mainly handles intra-Mediterranean trades.