How Hauts-de-France Welcomes Logistics

François-Xavier Bieuville : New logistics projects continue to emerge in Somain, Pécquencourt, Dunkerque, and elsewhere… (Editor’s note: according to BNP Real Estate, 45 transactions had already been recorded in 2021, representing more than 1.2 million m² of take-up) Indeed, whether to support the region’s maritime and river ambitions or to facilitate the establishment of new economic activities, the transport and logistics sectors, as well as logistics real estate, are doing well. In addition, all new projects comply with the “net zero land take” requirement set out in the Climate and Resilience Act. 

François-Xavier Bieuville : There are two reasons: its geographic location and its economic history. Its seafront, its river network—including the Seine-Nord Canal, a high-capacity canal that will connect Compiègne in Oise with Aubencheul-au-Bac in Nord and is due to be completed in a few years—and its road infrastructure (seven highways cross the region!) give it a major role in national and European trade, directly connecting it to Great Britain and Northern European countries. Its industrial past, first with coal mines nearly 250 years ago, then steel foundries, automobile plants, textile activities, and so on, has also given it a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Its labor market (Editor’s note: Hauts-de-France ranks third for logistics employment, according to Insee) and its proximity to the Paris-region consumer market add to its list of advantages. 

François-Xavier Bieuville : The French government has always supported the region through periods of major economic transformation, sometimes abrupt, as was the case with the closure of the coal mines. Local elected officials understood early on the importance of logistics and its social dimension, with jobs accessible to everyone and flexible contracts that can suit different types of people. They therefore feel involved in these projects. With land reserves included in municipal and intermunicipal local urban development plans, the French government promotes the development of logistics activity through rigorous review of applications, while respecting several balances: a political balance, by informing local residents; a social balance, by consulting the trade unions involved and intermediary stakeholders; and an economic and environmental balance. A good sub-prefect must be useful to the area, effective, close to the population, and able to demonstrate authority. Logistics is therefore driven by motivated elected officials and demanding permitting services. 

François-Xavier Bieuville : I can mention the Somain project, in the La Renaissance development zone, between Douai and Valencienne, which aims to reuse the marshalling yard to turn the area into a multimodal hub, with direct transshipment. Several thousand square meters of warehouse space are planned there. I am also thinking of the new warehouse in Pecquencourt, located in the Barrois business park, which will be occupied by logistics provider SDM. In addition, the Seine-Nord Canal project, scheduled for 2030, will see the creation of four inland ports (Nesle, Péronne, Marquion-Cambrai, and Noyon) and will necessarily be accompanied by new logistics activities. the Port of Dunkerque also plans to continue its development and is banking on numerous new infrastructure projects to do so. Finally, the announcement of the upcoming establishment of four electric battery plants in the region suggests that new warehouses will be needed in the region: the ACC plant, the most advanced project, is expected to open in the coming months in Douvrin, on the outskirts of Lens. It will be followed by the AESC-Envision plant in Douai, then the Verkor plant, whose production start-ups are planned during 2025. The ProLogium plant, meanwhile, is still under consideration for a location in Dunkerque.