Interview of the week - Sosersid - France

Coming from a double initial training in Marketing and then at the Centre for Graduate Studies in Transport and Logistics, Jean-Claude chose to travel and start his professional life especially in the West Indies, close to the sea. He does not regret this choice of youth where the dream of the Caribbean seas joined the interest of a first job. After that, he always worked for the development of port and maritime activities in Marseille or Fos. It is both a family legacy and a personal passion. Today, Jean-Claude chairs two structures, Somarsid and Sosersid, which represent 180 salaried people.

He loves the port and he loves Marseille-Fos; He will be mobilized for the success of the entire port square and intends to build ambitious strategies by geographical area or by market.

Tell us a few words about SOSERSID. Who owns the company?

Specialized in the handling of steel and dry bulk products with Two Gantry cranes and two Shore cranes until 2001, we wanted to adapt our activity to industry evolution and to the need of our customers. This creates a new Breakbulk department focused on heavy parcels and project cargo with dedicated docks, as well as setting up a major investment in heavy lifting cranes and more.

Our major shareholder: HES International, a private holding company of leading independent providers of logistical services in ports.

Where are your offices located?

We have our own offices in the port of Marseille-Fos, south of France.

What about safety?

We are very proud of our safety policy. Correct equipment for every job, involvement at every level, L/S/D under IMO CODE, our guarantee for a safe working are all qualities that have led us to obtain several certifications like French ISO45001, ISO9001 and MASE.

Our classifications? Terminal ISPS certified and location covered by the SEVESO II DIRECTIVE.

Which is SOSERSID specialty and service range?

Our challenge is to become the first handling operator to develop expertise in the lifting of heavy parcels and thus become a key player in the Marseille-Fos.

To date, we remain the reference of the place in both technical equipment and know-how of our teams.

Thanks to a number of investments, as the purchase of a heavy-duty lifting crane (Demag Treilli C 1800, 250 Ts capacity crane) and one mobile crane (Italgru, 120 ts capacity), we can adapt to the evolution of the industry but also to the demands of our customers.

Tell us about projects that you have handled recently.

We are now involved in a project for the construction of the largest tokamak ever. A machine that must demonstrate that fusion, the energy of the Sun and Stars, can be used to produce electricity. A partnership with Daher Technology on the Iter project. We are the only handler for these very special cargos.

The last one, operated in June, was a parcel of more than 400Ts!

How did you join The Heavy Lift Group?

I met some years ago Johann Feltgen from Sogebras, also located in France, member of The Heavy Lift Group. It was the beginning of a long-lasting, mutual friendship.

I was later invited and gladly accepted to become a member of The Heavy Lift Group to represent South of France.

Who should be approached in SOSERSID for inquiries?

We are available for enquiries and any other question at contact@sosersid.com