Maritime cooperation invitation from Marseille to Izmir

At the Logistech, 2nd Logistics, Storage and Technologies Fair, organized by İZFAŞ at Fuar İzmir last week, hosted by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, the seeds of cooperation in the field of maritime transport were sown between Izmir and the French city of Marseille.

The “Origins and Future of Logistics on the Mediterranean Basin, Aegean Sea and Southern France Route (Marseille Port) Session, moderated by Alperen Güler, General Manager of the International Transportation and Logistics Service Providers Association (UTİKAD), was attended by Yusuf Öztürk, Chairman of the Board of Directors of IMEAK Chamber of Shipping Izmir Branch. Via Marseille FOS (Marseille FOS Port) President Stephane Salvetat, Via Marseille FOS Business Manager Amal Louis, Marmedsa France Country Manager Ömür Kuyucuoğlu attended.

SISTER PORT CALL

Providing detailed information about Izmir Ports, Öztürk reminded that those who left Foça founded Marseille and said that the same historical roots will be an important opportunity for future cooperation in the field of maritime transportation and maritime tourism.

Stating that 245 thousand TEU container transportation was carried out between Izmir and Marseille last year, Öztürk said, “I think we should improve these figures with bilateral trade agreements. We can ensure that two ports are treated as sister ports. We can work on green ports, digital technologies, automation, and how to use the railway network effectively. We can start Ro-Ro ship services between Izmir and Marseille. “We can match Marseille’s professionalism in cruise tourism with the ports here,” he said.

TWO CITIES SHOULD DEVELOP EACH OTHER

Via Marseille FOS President Stephane Salvetat said, “We have an important maritime transportation with Turkey. Our port is a state port, and our terminals belong to the private sector. Turkish companies are the second important partners of our port after China. We are trying to find new routes in the Mediterranean. The cities of Izmir and Marseille should develop each other in the field of investment and maritime transportation. We want to increase cooperation on behalf of Izmir Port Community and Marseille Port Community. “For this reason, we officially invite you, the sailors, to Marseille,” he said.

Via Marseille FOS Business Manager Amal Louis said that Marseille FOS Port is a multi-purpose, global port. Stating that they plan to be a stopping point on the Eastern and Western Mediterranean routes, Louis said, “Turkey is very important for us. In particular, the production center is shifting from China to Mediterranean countries. Since we are in the Mediterranean, why shouldn’t we partner? said.