Tramping in the Mediterranean
It was in 1951 that Claude Vidil and Pierre Giraud decided to create their maritime company, Marseille Fret. They chartered to start with an Icelandic fishing schooner, the Douce France. This vessel transported goods such as tiles, gas cylinders, cork, cement bags, etc., between Marseille, Algeria, and Tunisia, with a return via Corsica. The two entrepreneurs quickly purchased their first ships to engage in tramping in the Mediterranean, accepting all cargoes that were not well suited for regular line companies.
Development in Eastern Mediterranean
The early 1960s were inextricably linked with decolonization and its maritime corollary, the establishment of state fleets in North Africa. Bilateral conferences at that time allocated the transport of foreign trade according to a system that was generally unfavorable to young entrepreneurs and particularly to Marseille-Fret, as it was based on past loadings. This made the period quite challenging.
Seeking new horizons, the company’s leaders created a service to Libya and expanded their commercial network, opening agencies in Paris, Rouen, and Dunkirk. To support this development, the company grew its fleet.
This period culminated in a significant event in the company's history: in October 1979, the Libyan government seized the company’s flagship, the “Rove,” while it was docked in Benghazi. For Marseille-Fret, the future in the Mediterranean then seemed highly compromised.
Recherchant de nouveaux horizons, les dirigeants créent un service vers la Libye et développent leur réseau commercial, avec l’ouverture d’agences à Paris, Rouen et Dunkerque. Pour permettre ce développement, la compagnie développe sa flotte.
Cette période s’achève par un événement marquant dans la vie de l’entreprise : en octobre 1979, le gouvernement libyen saisit le flagship de la compagnie, le “Rove”, alors à quai à Benghazi. Pour Marseille-Fret, l’avenir en Méditerranée semble alors fortement compromis.
A strategic shift towards regular lines
In the early 1980s, Marseille-Fret expanded beyond the Mediterranean. Responding to the demand from the Port of Rouen, the company launched a regular container line between Rouen and the Antilles. After a difficult start, the line's performance improved, and other routes were opened. Thus, in 1984, a line to Canada was inaugurated.
In 1987, the activities were separated: Marseille-Fret became a holding company while retaining the ship management. Marfret was created to operate the lines.
Marfret continued to expand its service offerings to other oceans. In 1987, a line was established from the Mediterranean to Venezuela, Colombia, and the Caribbean islands.
Marfret, "Small Global Carrier"
Starting in the mid-1990s, Marfret chose the path of alliances by partnering with its competitors (CMA CGM, Sudcargos, Maersk, Contship, etc.) to try to build joint service solutions with multiple benefits: additional economies of scale through the operation of larger vessels, improved service frequency, and more.
The company then multiplied the openings of regular lines while strengthening the existing offerings: Marseille / Algeria-Tunisia, Northern Europe / French Guiana-North Brazil, Northern Europe / Canada, Northern Europe / French Antilles, Round the World, Northern Europe / Colombia, Mediterranean / Caribbean, Ireland (Le Havre / Waterford). Marfret is now present on all continents thanks to its network of agents spread across 35 countries and 5 overseas departments and territories.
Marfret facing the challenges of shipping
In 2005, the market experienced an amplification of concentration phenomena with the emergence of "super-carriers" that now dominate the sector. Some of these acquisitions had direct repercussions on the alliances in which Marfret was a partner, necessitating new agreements.
Marfret continued its expansion in France and internationally by opening secondary establishments in Le Havre (2003), French Guiana (2005), Paris, the United States, and Algeria (2006).
In 2005, Marfret created FluvioFeeder and positioned itself as one of the leaders in inland and multimodal container transport on the Seine.
In 2008, the Group completed its five-year investment plan for fleet renewal, amounting to 185 million Euros.
Heading towards the future in a changing world
The period is marked by significant challenges: strikes in French ports, followed by the Covid-19 pandemic, war in Ukraine, an energy crisis, and a climate crisis affecting the Panama Canal passage. It is during rough seas that the solidity and resilience of a ship are tested. Marfret not only managed to maintain its course on existing routes but also opened up new horizons with the launch of the "Multipurpose Vessel Service," a conventional service connecting Le Havre and Antwerp to French Guiana and the Antilles.
Furthermore, we strengthened our positions in the Caribbean region by providing a larger allocation, compensating for the departure of the operator Maersk. Marfret remains faithful to this historic service.
Marfret is accelerating its digital transformation and energy transition
Over the past five years, Marfret has undertaken comprehensive work within the Information Systems department to transition towards a service offering based on SaaS platforms. "Software as a Service" represents a resilient and secure response in an environment of increased cyber threats. Our teams, freed from certain time-consuming and repetitive tasks, are thus mobilized to offer you personalized transport solutions with added value. The e-booking system will be deployed in the first quarter of 2024 for our customers, who will have access to this additional freight booking option 24/7. The goal is to adapt to your constraints while maintaining the strengths that make Marfret strong: available teams for...
Marfret is investing in its energy transition: our action for the decarbonization of our activity was recognized by Armateurs de France, who awarded us the Blue Charter Trophy for the sail propulsion system that we have chosen to integrate into our MPV service. Using the power of wind, this clean, free, and inexhaustible energy, as a valuable aid to navigation... After months of study, Marfret has realized this project by equipping the Marfret Niolon with four turbo sails, which reduce fuel consumption by 10 to 15%.
In the era of global awareness of climate issues, Marfret intends to play its part in the collective effort.
