Passenger numbers reached two new peaks – 2.7 million overall and 1.6m in cruise visitors at Marseille Fos
The record passenger total of 2.7 million – up 6% – was driven by a 9% rise in cruise numbers to another new high of 1.6m. In 2017 enlargement works will be completed on the Passe Nord port entrance in Marseille to enhance access for mega-cruiseships.
Ferry carryings on Corsica and North Africa services rose 2% to 1.1m, marked by Algeria’s 27% increase to almost 285,000 passengers.
In November Marseille staged the inaugural MedPorts Forum, when delegates from 25 ports met to discuss cooperation in promoting their pivotal role in world trade. The event underlined the port authority’s strategy of enhancing visibility among international maritime, logistics and industrial players, which was backed by a €55m development and maintenance budget, an increase of 22%.
