Seizing the Moment: France’s Emergence as a Logistics Leader

With its strategic location, strong multimodal infrastructure, and large consumer market, France has long been considered a major logistics hub. Yet its true potential is only starting to be realised. 

Seas of Change

Like many other European countries, road freight has long been France’s dominant mode of transport. However, rapid changes driven by ecommerce, sustainability requirements and digital transformation have enabled it to explore other underused modes of transport not only to help build capacity, but to strengthen its position as a key gateway to Europe and beyond.

Our Presence in France

Our Eurofos terminal at Marseille Fos is a joint venture with CMA CGM’s Terminal Link. One of the largest commercial container ports in the country, with deep-sea berths servicing the world’s largest container vessels, it redefines scale and capacity in the Western Mediterranean and provides major global shipping lines with direct access to South European and North African trade lanes.

Inland, direct road, rail and barge links to Continental Europe serve as a strategic bridge between the Mediterranean gateway and the Rhine corridor, offering efficient connections that support modal diversification and explore lower carbon transport options.

The French Corridor

Our aim is to increase resilience, flexibility and sustainability along the French corridor by helping to position France as a competitive and diversified solution within European supply chains. To achieve this, our focus is on integrating port operations, inland terminals, warehousing, freight forwarding and short sea services to deliver seamless end-to-end logistics solutions.

As an organisation, our footprint in France spans:

• Inland intermodal terminals in Eastern France through Swissterminal, linking the Rhône and Rhine corridors into Switzerland, Germany and Benelux markets
• Warehouse development exploration in the Ottmarsheim area, aiming to strengthen value-added inland logistics and rail/barge connectivity
• Contract Logistics operations in Lieusaint, in partnership with Arcese, providing integrated warehousing and distribution capabilities
• Freight Forwarding operations, strengthened by the acquisition of Herport, and time-critical services to enhance end-to-end supply chain solutions
• Multimodal Solutions and P&O Ferries, supporting cross-Channel and European short-sea connectivity

Looking ahead, our investment priorities in the region include projects to:

• Enhance rail and yard capacity at Eurofos to strengthen inland flows
• Further develop decarbonisation initiatives including electrified equipment and shore power collaboration
• Reinforce inland connectivity with developments in the Ottmarsheim area
• Scale our contract logistics and freight forwarding capabilities

A Gateway to Trade

With supply chains facing increasing disruption from geopolitical instability, logistics bottlenecks and rising costs, businesses are being forced to rethink their strategies.

Our end-to-end supply chain solutions in France minimise disruptions by connecting our assets and leveraging our integrated European platform connecting Belgium, France, Germany, Romania, Serbia and Switzerland. Together, we’re driving faster, more efficient trade, and shaping a future ready supply chain that reinforces France’s role as a strategic gateway to Europe and beyond.

Find out more about our Supply Chain Solutions in France.