The participants in the IHEDN's 6th national session on "Maritime issues and strategies" were able to set sail for Hauts-de-France under the guidance of Captain Patrick RATIER, Commander of the Navy at Dunkirk, who ensured that they were properly channelled throughout the day. After too many videoconference seminars, these reunions in the flesh, made possible by the improvement in the health situation, were particularly welcome, despite the residual constraints being strictly adhered to.
From the early hours of the morning, after waking up at 4am, the listeners - a little foggy, but with a smile on their faces - were welcomed to the port of Boulogne, France's largest port in terms of volume, by its director, Alain Cailler, a great friend of the IHEDN, which he hosts every year. They were able to experience the auction live, with explanations from its director Gildas Dubois, another friend of the session. The most modern technology in this fully computerised auction has now replaced the picturesque howls that still govern many auctions. But the freshly caught fish that filled the hall in the middle of the night have not changed.
Gildas Dubois found it hard to hide his passion for seafood as he explained to listeners the different quality criteria for fish, showing off sparkling eyes and bright red gills.
Guided by Alain Cailler, the detailed tour of Capécure, Europe's leading seafood processing centre with 140 companies, definitively convinced the audience of the strategic importance of the fisheries sector for France and the scale of the challenges posed by Brexit.
At eight o'clock in the morning, invigorated by a hearty Boulonnais breakfast featuring the morning's catch, the listeners set off for Calais, their next port of call for the morning. Philippe Suisse, Director of Security at the Port of Calais, explained the issues at stake for the town as a result of illegal immigration. The Strait of Pas-de-Calais, separating France from the United Kingdom, is the last obstacle separating migrants ready to risk their lives to reach their "grail" after travelling several thousand kilometres.
The auditors visited the facilities for detecting attempts at illegal entry, and noted the excellent cooperation between the French and British governments in controlling the flow of migrants. The visit, led by Franck Suisse, his brother's deputy, showed the auditors the economic dynamism of this fast-growing port, which will be inaugurating an impressive extension in October, with modern infrastructures perfectly adapted to the new post-Brexit environment.
The audience then headed back to Dunkirk for a tour of the port, which can accommodate the world's largest ships. They were first welcomed for a rustic lunch in the open air - COVID obliges - by the sub-prefect of Dunkirk Hervé Tourmente and Daniel Deschodt, acting chairman of the board of the Grand Port Maritime de Dunkerque (GPMD).
The guided tour of the GPMD by Dominique Lammin, in charge of public relations, was an excellent illustration of the presentation made by its director last March via videoconference. Visitors were able to see for themselves how the GPMD is implementing its strategy to seize opportunities in the blue economy and face up to competition from foreign ports. The development of a circular economy and the preservation of biodiversity are two of the main pillars of a determined sustainable development policy. With this in mind, Norlink Ports, an association of the region's ports, is implementing a joint approach to the development of this major seafront in the Hauts-de-France region.
After a busy day visiting three very different ports, the auditors left Hauts de France with a good understanding of the major challenges facing France's port economy and the associated defence and security issues.
