“We are very happy”: the Port of Sète reacts to the arrival of Corsica Ferries lines to Corsica and the Balearic Islands

Olivier Carmes is “happy” with the arrival of Corsica Ferries in Sète. Midi Libre – NICOLAS ZARROUK

In 2024, Corsica Ferries is opening two lines to Île-Rousse and the Balearic Islands. Here is the reaction of the Port of Sète via the words of Olivier Carmes, general director of the Port of Sète and Arnaud Rieutort, commercial director of the Port of Sète.

When did you learn that Corsica Ferries was going to set up in Sète ?

Olivier Carmes : We've known for a month. We have been pushing our shipping companies (Baleària and GNV) for a long time to go to the Balearic Islands. But ultimately, the opening is with Corsica Ferries. As for Corsica, we have been hoping for several years that Sète could play a role in this destination. It suits us very well that the companies divide up the different destinations.

How do you welcome this announcement ?

Olivier Carmes: We are obviously very happy with the arrival of these new lines. We know that with regard to Sète-Frontignan, it was an expectation. The residents asked us. We are happy that they are benefiting from the development of port activity.

Arnaud Rieutort: In the past, between 1992 and 2006, there were several attempts to open lines to the Balearic Islands . It never lasted for various reasons. In 2003, there was a third attempt with an Italian shipowner, there were 45,000 passengers in 7 months. It had worked well. For Corsica, it will be a great first. There are therefore a lot of expectations.

Olivier Carmes: There is a place for us. Sète, its port and then the destination, is beginning to be known. The companies that came for the first time last year were very satisfied. It makes our reputation.

The line to Majorca will be open from April to June and that to Île-Rousse only in July. Why such short durations ?

Arnaud Rieutort : Corsica Ferries will be in a test period. The company will see the occupancy rate and the profitability of the lines to continue the adventure or not. If it goes well, they will start looking to open in September for Corsica. Same for the Balearics.

How many passengers do you expect on these lines ?

Olivier Carmes :We hope for 10,000 customers in the Balearic Islands. Corsica is symbolic since there are only three stopovers planned. We don’t really have any quantified expectations. More generally, we must succeed in having as good a season as last year when we had 220,000 passengers between Algeria and Morocco. We can do it, because our maritime tools are very good. We will undoubtedly modify access to the ferry terminal in 2025. And then, the overhaul of the ferry terminal building will undoubtedly take place in 2026-2027.

Is the arrival of Corsica Ferries the first reward for the electrification of the port ?

Olivier Carmes :In a way, yes. We took the risk of equipping the platforms without yet having a firm commitment from the companies. By 2030, ships will be required to connect at the quayside. And we know that companies are sensitive to the electrification of platforms. Furthermore, Corsica Linea has confirmed that their ships to Algeria will be docked this summer. We knew it was going to gradually gain momentum. Eventually, maybe it will go faster.

Do you think that the arrival of these lines in Sète will bring French people from the west of the country ? And what will be the ;#39;impact on the local economy ?

Olivier Carmes: You have to trust Corsica Ferries on market analysis. If they think it's going to bring people from the west side, it probably will. They know the potential for attractiveness better than we do. We can imagine that some people, who will come for the new lines and who do not know Sète, will come back afterwards. People are not indifferent to the charm of the city. I am convinced that these two new destinations will be a good promotional tool for the city of Sète more generally.

Arnaud Rieutort : When people come to take the ferry, they will probably arrive the day before and spend a night at the hotel. #39;hotel, will go to the restaurant and consume local products. So inevitably, the arrival of this new clientele will have repercussions on the local economy.

Is there a desire to expand the number of lines in the long term ?

Olivier Carmes:Yes. But in any case, we will be limited by the reception possibilities. We can accommodate two ships at the same time, maybe three. The goal is to continue the momentum. The very important element to take into account is the different offers that we will have.

For many years, we only had one company (GNV). Then, there was Baleària on Morocco and two companies (Algérie Ferries and Corsica Linea) on Algeria. And now there is Corsica Ferries on the Balearic Islands and Corsica. It’s very good to have all these offers.

You just have to be careful to harmonize these offers. The challenge in considering the future is that all stopovers go well, that the company is happy, as are the customers. The goal is to maintain these five companies.

Arnaud Rieutort : Corsica Ferries is a company with a strong reputation. It’s not like we’re bringing in a new, somewhat fragile shipowner. There, we have a company with experience with large ships, that’s a plus.

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