Box traffic totalled 55,300 units compared with 49,400 over the previous 12 months. Medlink outlined recent growth initiatives at the River Dating convention organised in Paris last week (December 7-8) by inland waterways authority Voies Navigables de France.
Key measures launched in 2011 include a direct service between Marseilles Fos and inland port Valence, which provides a river-based import-export facility for the Drome department in south-east France as well as an alternative route for shipments to and from the city of Grenoble.
Meanwhile vessel operators Logirhone and RSC consolidated their services under the name of Medlink Shuttle Containers and increased Fos sailings to six per week – one more than in 2010. In addition, the Medlink Ports partnership grew with Vienne Sud joining the eight existing inland ports – Pagny, Chalon, Macon, Villefranche-sur-Saone, Lyons, Avignon-Le Pontet, Arles and Valence.
In another enhancement, the AP+ data exchange system was opened to forwarders last May, offering greater reliability and security in managing traffic flows.
The 550km waterways network serves much of the southern half of France – from Marseilles to Dijon – and handles dry bulks, liquid bulks and heavy loads as well as containers. Value-added logistics solutions such as warehousing and local distribution are available throughout the network, where pre- and post-forwarding is boosted by a range of intermodal options that reduce transit times and park charges. Coupled with the suspension of dues and taxes, this is supported by a fast-track customs procedure for intermodal traffic.