On 16^th December 2019, French based La Ciotat Shipyards (LCS) announced the environmental features of its forthcoming 4300 tonne platform dedicated to mega yachts. During the presentation, Jean-Yves Saussol, CEO of LCS, stated, “Having public shareholders and being active in the yachting industry where environmental concerns are on the rise, we have always been committed to delivering a project which could be a model in terms of sustainability. We are more than happy to have met this challenge and demonstrated in practice that it is possible to reconcile profitability and the creation of hundreds of jobs for the local community with delivering a positive impact on the environment.”

Far from having a defensive stand consisting of mitigating the adverse effects of the project on the environment, the 4300 tonne shiplift will have a net positive contribution on the natural setting and the biodiversity of the Golfe d’Amour and the nearby Calanques’ National park. This is going to be attained by the rehabilitation of the former industrial brownfield sites left behind due to the closure of redundant shipyards.

Key measures will consist of the clean-up of polluted sediment deposited in the harbour by prior shipyards, the rescue on site of 98% of soil excavated to minimise the movement of heavy vehicles, and special measures to protect and encourage the flourishing of local wildlife both ashore and in the bay.

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