BrestPort, new member of the Campus mondial de la mer

Un bâtiment en bord du terminal vraquier. Une large baie vitrée donnant sur un navire en réparation. Des cartes topographiques au mur. Par son panorama, le bureau de Christophe Chabert invite à l’immersion portuaire. "Le port est le reflet de l’ensemble de l’écosystème brestois. Toutes les chaînes de fonctions s’y trouvent", explique Christophe. "Il ne faut pas se cacher, mais, au contraire, montrer la transformation de cette zone stratégique, pour que les habitants soient fiers de leur industrie. C’est notre mission".

Christophe Chabert, Chairman of the Executive Board, BrestPort © Technopôle Brest-Iroise

Christophe Chabert's triple career path: Navy, industry, and financial engineering

As a Navy officer, Christophe Chabert brings expertise in operational management and a deep understanding of human dynamics across various cultures worldwide. He continued his career at Naval Group, overseeing major construction projects and driving business development. Christophe then shifted his focus to new ship propulsion systems and Renewable Marine Energies, working with companies like OpenHydro and Eolfi. "In 2010, those interested in floating wind power could be counted on one hand". Christophe played a pivotal role as a facilitator between stakeholders in the wind power sector and as a financial engineer, providing essential expertise to "implement large projects with a 25-year profitability outlook."

BrestPort, "an exciting moment"

In 2022, Christophe took over as Chairman of the Executive Board of SPBB. The Region of Brittany, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Brittany (CCIMBO), and Brest Métropole, the three founding shareholders, committed to establishing a new port model based on 40-year concessions. "An exciting moment for a long-term vision!"

BrestPort, striking a balance between traditional activities and new challenges

"The goal is to strengthen our traditional markets while adapting to new developments. The port is becoming the industrial hub at the heart of Brest." The port of Brest generates €22 million in revenue, employs nearly 3,000 people (including about a hundred at BrestPort), handles 2.8 million tonnes of goods, and hosts 700 calls per year, all spread across 250 hectares and 5 kilometers of quays.

The economic model has been meticulously designed to ensure profitability: €500 million over 10 years and €900 million over 40 years. One-third of the investments come from port revenues, one-third from the concession authority (Region of Brittany, responsible for infrastructure), and one-third from the founding shareholders.

The crane at the Port of Brest © Technopôle Brest-Iroise

The Port of Brest, developments built over the sea

The commercial port is entirely reclaimed from the sea. This polderization began under Napoleon III and has continued to evolve until today. "Industrial and commercial space has become a scarce commodity", especially under current regulations that limit buildable surfaces (Zero Net Artificialization law). In this context, "it was worthwhile to invest". The transformation of the port continues.

BrestPort, embracing experimentation

"Shifting from hydrocarbons towards decarbonization will drive our activities." The Port of Brest is a versatile medium-sized port, ideal for serving as a pilot site: experimenting with new pollution control technologies, assembling the Eolink demonstrator, testing HelioRec's floating photovoltaic system, etc. BrestPort facilitates dock access for innovation stakeholders.

BrestPort, a member of the Campus and actively involved in Sea Tech Week® 2024

"The challenges we face (EMR, hydrogen, etc.) are similar to those of other ports, particularly across Europe." BrestPort shares its experience through various European cooperation projects.

"To invigorate our technological and technical considerations, and to engage in transitions." This is why BrestPort joins the Campus mondial de la mer community.

BrestPort will be present at Sea Tech Week®, where it will lead two workshops on October 16, 2024:

• Green fuels & safety issues
• Offshore wind energy: securing provisioning of renewable energy in EU