At a time when urban logistics is seeking to reinvent itself in order to better integrate into the urban environment, river logistics is emerging as a solution. Major players such as Haropa Port and Sogaris, in partnership with trade associations such as Afilog, are working to bring projects to fruition along the Seine axis.
A floating workshop took place on July 9, departing from the port of Debilly for a trip up the Seine. The destination was the Quai d'Austerlitz, the future site of the Amarres logistics hotel, a key project for Sogaris and Haropa Port. This workshop was an opportunity to highlight a major challenge: how can logistics be reintegrated into the city?
"Haropa Port manages 16,000 hectares of land, and its mission is to offer land interconnected with the major sea and river ports, preparing the way for new industrial and logistics projects. These lands are connected to road, river and rail transport, as well as to sea terminals, offering significant 'added value' to the establishment of logistics activities in the port system", explains Kris Danaradjou, Deputy Managing Director in charge of development at Haropa Port.
"Tomorrow's urban logistics is built on dialogue and understanding between the various stakeholders: political players, real estate players, carriers, logistics providers, shippers and, of course, local residents, whose integration is essential for successful projects," continues Christophe Ripert, Vice-Chairman of Afilog and Managing Director for Urban Logistics at Quartus.
Multimodality at the heart of Sogaris projects
Sogaris' ambition is to invent a new generation of logistics real estate capable of accommodating the diversity of commercial flows in cities. The company is promoting the concept of logistics hotels, with their meticulously-designed architecture combining logistics bases and activity cells, as well as tertiary and catering areas, sports facilities and urban farms. Existing examples such as the Chapelle Internationale logistics hotel in Paris and the Ardoines logistics hotel in Vitry-sur-Seine illustrate this approach.
But the flagship project is no less than the future Les Amarres logistics hotel, which Sogaris will develop in partnership with Haropa Port on the Quai d'Austerlitz in Paris. This site will be specifically dedicated to river-based urban logistics, with a river connection enabling barges to bring in goods, which will then be redistributed by bicycle or light electric vehicles in the Paris area. The project is part of the renovation of pavilions 1 and 2 of the general stores at the Port d'Austerlitz, century-old buildings that are emblematic of Paris's industrial heritage.
" In addition to logistics, the building will have a mix of uses, including business, retail and catering spaces, and the ambition to rehouse the daytime reception facilities for people in migrant situations previously run by the Aurore and Yes We Camp associations. Commissioning is scheduled for 2028," concludes Gabin Jouquan, Director of Communications and Public Relations at Sogaris.