La Ciotat Shipyards Cut Prices to Boost 2020-21 Refit Season

At a formal meeting on July 20th 2020, the local government announced that it will support an ambitious stimulus plan to accelerate the economic recovery of the yacht refit industry in La Ciotat following the Covid-19 crisis.

This decision is in response to the prevailing uncertain business environment, with the yards operating in La Ciotat expressing the fear that some clients could decide to postpone projects which were initially scheduled for the beginning of the 20/21 refit season.

With the financial help of the Département, LCS is therefore offering significant and targeted price cuts to the refit companies operating in La Ciotat as of the autumn of 2020:

• A 50% discount on occupation tariffs for public slots ashore from 15th September to 15th November 2020

• A 50% discount on hauling out procedures for yachts from 15th September to 15th November 2020

• The increase of quay usage fees initially scheduled for 1st September 2020 is now delayed until 1st January 2021

ln total, these measures represent a financial contribution of up to €300.000.

Following the meeting, Jean-Yves Saussol, CEO of La Ciotat Shipyards, commented. “I would like to welcome this initiative from the Département des Bouches-du-Rhône and its President Ms. Martine Vassal, who have once again confirmed their commitment to the development of the maritime industry in La Ciotat. As a result of the Covid-19 health crisis, we are facing major economic uncertainty for the start of the 20/21 refit season. We think that the disclosed measures are likely to encourage yachts to come to La Ciotat during this critical period.”

Mr. Wirth, director in charge of ports at the Département, added; “In spite of a challenging budgetary context related to the crisis, the Département is willing to keep a close eye on the development of its harbours. These anticipatory measures have been designed in close cooperation with local companies in order to ensure the optimum economic impact while keeping the public finances under control.“

This stimulus plan will now be presented for formal approval by the deliberative body of the Département in the coming weeks.