First, there is the heavily criticized method. The CCI of Bordeaux-Gironde and its president, Patrick Seguin, did not like the unilateral announcement made by Bordeaux City Hall and the State through the Grand Port of Bordeaux (GPMB), A project to relocate a cruise ship in Bordeaux : By 2030 they will be on the right bank of Bordeaux, in front of the Chaban bridge, away from the usual assembly points,…
First, there is a method that has been seriously criticized. The Bordeaux-Gironde CCI and its president, Patrick Seguin, did not like the unilateral announcement made by the Bordeaux City Hall and the State through the Grand Port of Bordeaux (GPMB), A project to relocate a cruise ship in Bordeaux : By 2030, these could stand on the right bank of Bordeaux, in front of the Chaban bridge, away from the usual junction point, on the left bank, in the center of Bordeaux’s historic city center.
“This decision has serious consequences for Bordeaux commerce,” said Patrick Seguin, president of the Bordeaux-Gironde CCI. “And yet, we have not really been involved in this thinking surrounding the future of the city and its economic structure. » The consular body is surprised by the lack of “presentation of material results of technical and financial research” of the project. “I also note that this question was never raised during the supervisory board of the Grand Seaport, where we have two representatives,” advises Patrick Seguin.
Higher prices
In fact, at the moment, CCI Bordeaux Gironde refuses to adhere to the right bank option, putting forward its information. “The economic benefits of docking around sixty cruise ships are significant. It has recently been estimated that each cruise ship that docks in Bordeaux brings an average of €330,000 in economic benefits to Bordeaux. Multiply that by about sixty boats and see what it is. » At the same time, we reach 60 million euros…
A move from the liners to the right bank for Patrick Seguin would jeopardize that economic arrangement. “You only have to talk to cruise passengers to see that. There are few cities in the world that are able to welcome liners in their historic center, because we know that technically going up the Garonne is a technical limitation for boats and allows us to justify higher prices for cruises. And cruise lines today are clear: if we take away their location in the historic city center, they will have a hard time justifying the additional costs for passengers, which will call into question their Bordeaux strategy. In the long term, there is a risk that there will simply be no Bordeaux destination for liners. »
Pollution
The president of the CCI of Bordeaux-Gironde overturns the arguments of the right bank supporters. From an environmental point of view, he points to this study carried out by ATMO, a network that monitors air quality in France, which insists on the “low impact” of sea and river liners on air pollution in Bordeaux, far behind the main city, and emissions from wood heating and traffic. “Not to mention the fact that more and more ships are opting for more environmentally friendly hybrid engines. »
Calling for “effective investments” to complete the electrification of the quays on the left bank, Patrick Seguin requested a hearing “on this subject” in the town hall and in the metropolis of Bordeaux.
Since last May The city of Pauillac can receive liners In the port of Trompeloup. In its 2021-2025 strategic project, Bordeaux Grand Seaport has positioned the Pauillac terminal, which is located virtually along the estuary, as a berth for liners over 300 meters in length, the largest of them all. wanted to meet. “It’s a good thing, especially for wine tourism,” Patrick Seguin said.