Port of Calais PPP achieves financial close, France

Mott MacDonald acted as lenders’ technical advisor during the scheme’s financing and will now monitor design and construction in an ongoing role.

Even though the Port of Calais is the fourth largest port in France, it has the highest amount of passenger traffic. The extension will see the addition of 3,200m of new breakwater, creation of a 90ha basin and reclamation of 50ha of landfills. A dedicated cross-channel area will also be developed, containing three ferry berths capable of accommodating 240m vessels. Other works will include a new fret area to supply the existing roll-on/roll-off berths, a new cluster of buildings including a terminal, administrative offices and warehouses totalling approximately 9,400 sq m and landscaping of a 145,000 sq m area.

Mott MacDonald assessed the project risk profile to advise the lenders on potential technical issues relating to contracts, design and construction subjects and operation issues. The consultancy will now monitor the progress of construction in relation to the agreed schedule and check that drawdowns are made accordingly with the works. 

Erwann Pilé, Mott MacDonald’s country manager for France, said: “The extension of the Port of Calais is being implemented to support the growth of cross-channel activities by providing additional capacities to the existing links between France and the UK.”

Construction of the Port of Calais extension is expected to be completed by the end of 2020.