Can we buy the land?

Land and/or buildings are essentially offered for rent, but you do have the possibility to build on the land your rent.
In fact, the Autonomous Port of Paris manages public land that belongs to the State and therefore cannot sell it. The role of the Port is to develop that land and the infrastructures on this public property along the rivers of Ile-de-France by placing them at the disposal of companies through "Public Land Occupancy Contracts", which are like rental contracts.

What is the maximum term of the land lease?

The term of the rental is variable: it is defined by the Autonomous Port of Paris and the client according to the type of project (business activity, type of building…) and the scale of the investment being envisaged in the contract.

What guarantees can I have on the this lease for my creditors or shareholders?

The land occupancy contract with the possibility of constructing a building gives the beneficiary all the rights of an owner for the term of the said contract, such as: to sell the building, mortgage it or finance it by hire purchase. This legal system facilitates the participation of property developers and investors.

Who can rent land from the Autonomous Port of Paris ?

The signatory(ies) and holder of the contract can be the organisation financing the project (investor, lease company, real estate investment trust), building it (developer/builder), managing it (real estate investment trust, etc.) or using the property (shipper or supply-chain company). The holder of the contract will enjoy the benefit of ownership rights to any buildings that are constructed.

What sort of activities are allowed?

Once agreement has been obtained from the Autonomous Port of Paris, clients can conduct all or any of the traditional logistics activities on its premises (storage, transport, distribution, wholesale trade, industries…) as well as any related services to companies, as long as the said activities comply with the various regulations that apply locally (local town planning regulations, flood risk prevention plan, etc.) and with all the guidelines in the port development schemes (when there are several candidates seeking to occupy a single building or plot of land, the Autonomous Port of Paris will of course give preference to those activities using river transport).
There is therefore little difference from sites that might be offered by other supply-chain operators, except that the type of activity must be mentioned in the occupancy documents and must therefore be complied with.

How is the contract renewed?

Once it has reached its term, the occupancy contract may be renewed or extended, but this is not automatic. Renewal is subject to a publicity procedure. In addition, it must be linked to an investment and must therefore be justified by improvement or construction work on the building, which will be described in binding form in an addendum to the occupancy contract.

Can I change activities or the use of the property?

When an occupancy contract is signed, the company buying the land or the buildings may change the use made of them with the approval of the Port and in compliance with planning rules and those on Classified Installations for the Protection of the Environment. When the occupancy contract is underway, an addendum must be signed. This addendum will specify any work that might be necessary to bring the facilities into line with the standards, or any rehabilitation that might be required by architectural or regulatory provisions. Under the terms of the addendum, the signatory company is required to comply with the operating regulations.

Can I sell the building to a third party?

The holder of the occupancy contract may sell the building on condition that the Autonomous Port of Paris approves the company and the activity of the buyer. The Port then signs a new land occupancy contract or proposes an addendum to the initial contract for the remaining term. This addendum transfers the rights attached to the initial contract.
When a new contract is signed, an agreement might be made on a new land occupancy term in return for investments to be made under the terms of the contract, but in this case only after a publicity procedure.
With a view to constantly improving the quality of the buildings, the Autonomous Port of Paris may, if necessary, demand of the future buyer that it carries out some improvement work.
The negotiation of the amount of the sale of the buildings, of course, remains a matter solely for the companies involved, and the Port of Paris takes no part in that.

What does the fee (meaning the rent) include?

For a new building being constructed by the client, the local infrastructure tax (taxe locale d’équipement) is not due, as the Autonomous Port of Paris finances the development of public facilities on its platforms at its own expense.
In addition, a discount for waterway traffic is also applied, according to the tonnages transported. The more closely your activity corresponds to our mission as a port, the more your company will have to gain financially.

What happens at the end of the occupancy contract?

The general rule is that at the end of the occupancy contract, the property placed at the disposal of the client is returned in its initial state. This provision is written into the specifications accompanying the occupancy contract. Depending on the case, the Autonomous Port of Paris may give its agreement for facilities or property developments to be left by the tenant at the end of the contract, if the said facilities are in good condition and fit for use in the future.

Can I build on Port land?

The rule that applies is that contained in the planning regulations document in force in the municipality (land occupation plan or local planning document), defining the floor areas, heights and positions of any buildings, and any easements, etc.
It is the client that files the building permit application with the relevant authority (the Mairie or Direction Départementale de l’Equipement), after authorisation by the Autonomous Port of Paris as the owner of the land.
Before any permit applications are filed, the client must submit their construction project to the Autonomous Port of Paris which will be assisted as necessary by its Consultant Architect. A prior meeting should also be held at the Mairie.
In an Enterprise Zone (ZAC) managed by a developer other than the Autonomous Port of Paris, a financial contribution towards the public facilities may be demanded of the builder by the Enterprise Zone developer when the building permit is filed.