Giant Marseille drydock set to reopen

The port authority is now conducting tests throughout the month before handing possession to designated operator Chantier Naval de Marseille (CNdM), which expects to announce a debut contract before summer.

At 465mtr long and 85mtr wide, the drydock is the world’s third biggest and was opened in 1975 to specialise in very large crude oil tanker repairs.

It was mothballed in 2000 when the market shifted east but has been restored to serve the largest ships afloat with minimal deviation – notably large cruise vessels, including any over 360mtr long, sailing in the Mediterranean.

Additionally the facility will be targeted at gas carriers, bulkers, containerships and the offshore sector.

With funding support from national and regional authorities, the project also included the construction of a new dock gate, equipment overhauls and renewal of the electricity supply network.

Last year Costa Cruises underlined Marseille’s key repair location by taking a one-third stake in CNdM, which already operates drydocks 8 and 9 at the port after being formed for the purpose in 2010 by Genoa-based repair and conversion specialist San Georgio del Porto.