P&O Ports, a subsidiary of Dubai's Ports, Customs and Free Zones Corporation (PCFC), is set to start operations at the container terminal in the Port de Sete in the south of France from early next year.

The three-year contract, announced in July, will see P&O Ports operating a container yard with a draft up to 14.5m draft with 457 metres of quay and adjacent two hectares land, reported state news agency Wam.

On a visit to Sete this week, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, chairman of PCFC, held a meeting with the regional president, Carole Delga and Port Authority president Jean-Claude Gayssot.

He noted that the start of operations was due in early 2018 and encouraged those with an interest in the Sete container terminal to contact P&O Ports so they can prepare services for future customers and partners.

"The presence of P&O Ports is a significant undertaking for the Region Occitanie and the Port of Sete, and will contribute to the economic development of Occitanie and France," remarked Delga.

"Container development is a priority for us as it underpins the efforts of taking the region forward. The agreement with P&O Ports is a major achievement for our region and for French companies. It enables the Port of Sete to strengthen its trade relations with the world," he noted.

Port de Sete is a deep draft port, handling frozen, chilled, general and breakbulk cargo, containers and livestock alongside cruise and ferry terminals, a marina, cement handling facilities and an agro-industrial complex.

It forms part of the network of feeder routes in Italy, Spain and France with access to major hubs throughout the Mediterranean, the road and rail network of southern France and major businesses located in the region.

Development is due to start at the end of the year and once open will offer 12 dedicated superyacht berths for the world’s largest vessels of up to 100 metres with a maximum 7-m-draft.