Live from MedFEL : Multimodal solutions and the future of Saint-Charles International debated at Medfel

The first conference panel of Medfel 2024 debated on the sustainable solutions of combined logistics, specially with the rail and the development strategy of Saint Charles International market. The market of Saint-Charles International and the Perpignan Méditerranée Métropole (PMM) authorities signed last January a historic partnership agreement to ensure the sustainable development of the market on a long run, with logistics in particular. It is the result of various years of  fruit of exceptional collaboration between the French government, the Occitanie region, the Pyrénées-Orientales province, the City of Perpignan, the banks and other partner organisations like the French Railways (SNCF), the Pyrénées-Orientales Chamber of commerce, EPLF, and many other partners.

Multi-year program

This multi-year contract represents a major step forwards the development of the Grand Saint Charles business park, Europe's leading fruit and vegetable marketing and logistics hub. It marks the start of a new era for the area, with ambitious projects aimed at relieving congestion on the site, making access safer and improving the cohabitation of activities. By signing this contract, the Perpignan Metropole (PMM) commits itself and its partners to the operational implementation of a strategic action plan to guarantee the attractiveness of the site until 2040.  In addition, a particular attention is being paid to the ecological transition and the decarbonisation of activities, reflecting PMM's commitment to a sustainable future.

Multiple actions

Among the agreed actions are the greening of the parc, the expansion of the infrastructures, the creation of the cycling network, the reorganisation of the traffic, inclusive the opening of new access and bridges. Financial support will be also given for corporate investments on sustainable solutions like solar energy, isolation,  of the buildings, energy-saving cooling solutions. “We want Saint-Charles market  to be recognized of strategic interest by the French government, it will be an additional support to our efforts towards a greener logistics” said Laurent Gauze from PMM. Among the other panellists were Jean-Luc Gibelin from the logistics department of the Occitanie region, Alexandre Eckart from the Pyrenee-Orientales provincial authorities, Eric Gilbert from Occitanie TENLOG, Jordi Torrent from Barcelona Port and the Mediterranean Rail Freight Corridor, Samuel Puygrenier from ADEME (National Agency for Ecological Transition).