Rhenus Group to manage Vienne Sud and Portes-lès-Valence ports under new consortium Rhône Modal Shift

• The Rhenus Group leads the new Rhône Modal Shift consortium to operate two key Rhône river ports for the next 25 years. 

• The initiative aims to double river and rail freight volumes by 2032 through targeted infrastructure investments. 

• The project strengthens Europe’s inland waterway connections to the Mediterranean Sea, enhancing cross-border freight flows and international trade access. 

The French State and the Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR) have officially awarded the management of the public ports of Vienne Sud and Portes-lès-Valence to Rhône Modal Shift, a newly formed consortium led by international logistics provider the Rhenus Group. The 25-year concession brings together Rhenus (51%), the Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI) of Nord Isère and Drôme (20% each), and Société Report Modal (9%). 

This decision follows a competitive selection process aimed at strengthening the Mediterranean-Rhône-Saône (MeRS) corridor, a major freight axis connecting the Lyon region to the port of Marseille-Fos. According to Fabienne Buccio, Prefect of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, “this initiative enhances the logistics offer for businesses and strengthens the role of the Rhône corridor in national and international freight flows.” 

Strategic Freight Platforms 

The two ports are already active logistics hubs: 

• Vienne Sud, part of the 340-hectare INSPIRA industrial zone, handled 115,000 tonnes by river and 137,000 tonnes by rail in 2024. 

• Portes-lès-Valence, a 45-hectare trimodal platform, processed 80,000 tonnes by river and 171,000 tonnes by rail. 

The consortium has committed to doubling freight volumes by 2032, supported by infrastructure upgrades co-financed through an EUR80 million investment plan across four Rhône ports. Michael de Reese, Division Head of Rhenus Port Logistics, emphasized: “We’re proud to bring our logistics expertise to this long-term project. Our goal is to make these ports more efficient, more connected and more responsive to the needs of businesses.” 

Strengthening Inland–Maritime Connectivity 

By improving multimodal transport options, especially river and rail, the project enhances the flow of goods between European inland markets and international maritime routes. This contributes to more efficient logistics and supports the competitiveness of regional industries. Laurence Borie-Bancel, President of CNR, noted that “by combining the expertise of a global logistics group with the local knowledge of the CCIs, we are taking bold and pragmatic steps to attract new freight flows and support industrial development along the corridor.” 

Supporting Modal Shift and Network Efficiency 

CNR estimates that increased use of river and rail transport could remove up to 120,000 trucks per year from the Rhône Valley Road network. This shift is expected to ease congestion and improve the reliability of freight services. The CCIs, through their long-standing presence in port operations, will also play a key role in maintaining strong ties with local businesses and communities. As the CCI Representatives Philippe Guérand, President of the CCI for the region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Christophe Carron, President of the CCI for Nord Isère, Alain Guibert, President of the CCI for Drôme, and Pierre-Olivier Boyer, President of the Société Report Modal for the CCI  of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, stated: “This partnership with Rhenus, a major logistics group recognised in Europe, allows us to connect regional economic actors with a broader logistics network, while contributing to the State’s long-term transport strategy.”