Major Projects
Over 20 million tonnes of goods are transported on the waterways each year by the Autonomous Port of Paris (PAP). This traffic is becoming increasingly diversified, with the emergence of sectors that were not traditionally clients of river transport in the past, such as container traffic and waste, among others. These new forms of traffic have double-digit growth potential and we are looking to them for our future development prospects. For example, thanks to the construction of the Seine-Northern Europe Canal, we expect to see an increase of 300% in container traffic by 2020. The modal share of the waterways today stands at 8%, but it should reach 10% if we achieve the objectives set by the Grenelle Law on the environment.
The waterways are also key to the stimulus plan rolled out by the government: €170 million is to be invested in them, giving a clear signal.While our road systems are saturated, the rivers and waterways have spare capacity. Increased use of river transport as an alternative to the road has therefore become a key issue in the Paris region, as a means of combating the greenhouse effect and, more generally, of improving the quality of life of the region's inhabitants and its economic competitiveness. Current debates surrounding the creation of a Greater Paris provide another opportunity. For many architects, town planners and local politicians, the river is the backbone of the region, and port facilities provide an opportunity to develop the region and the whole of the Paris Basin in a more sustainable manner.
