Sosersid was founded in 2002. “Prior to the company’s establishment, there was a sister company by the name of Somarsid,” explains Jean-Claude Sarremejeanne, director of Sosersid. “Somarsid was established in 1973 and acted as a service provider to Arcelor Mittal, a steelmaker located in Fos-sur-Mer near Marseille. In 2002, it was decided to expand its activities and focus on other forms of cargo.
In the course of these undertakings, Sosersid was founded.” Today, Sosersid employs a capable team of 46 people and was able to generate turnover of 20 million EUR in 2012. “We are a stevedoring company specialized in handling steel products, heavy lift and project cargos,” states the director.
“As well as being located on the French Mediterranean coast, we also have direct access to the Rhône and Saône rivers, which provide a connection to central France and the country’s industrial heartland.” Thanks to its exceptional geographical location, Fos-sur-Mer is within 24 hours of all the main capitals of Europe and within easy reach of the major European industrial areas.
Sosersid operates two quays: one for breakbulk cargo, steel products, heavy lift and general cargo, and the other for dry bulk cargo. At the breakbulk quay, Sosersid is responsible for the handling and loading operations of the entire volume of sea freight exported by Arcelor Mittal. “About 88% of our revenues are generated from the handling of steel products including slabs, sheets, coils and dry bulk cargo,” says Mr. Sarremejeanne.
“We handle around 220,000 t of steel products per month. For the last eight years, this quay has been open to other traffic so that we now load and unload a multitude of different cargos for other clients.” At the dry bulk quay, Sosersid is responsible for the discharge of Arcelor Mittal’s entire mineral requirements for the manufacture of steel.
Here, it handles a volume of over ten million tons each year. With these widespread competences, Sosersid attracts a broad variety of clients on the domestic and foreign markets. “Our main customer is still Arcelor Mittal,” says Mr. Sarremejeanne. “However, many internationally operating companies also make use of our services. Many of the forwarded goods are shipped to and from the Far East.”
In terms of marketing and distribution, Sosersid relies on trade cooperation and exhibitions. “We are present at industry-related fairs, for example at the breakbulk conferences in China, the US and Antwerp,” explains the director. “In addition, we work together closely with the port of Marseille.”
In the future, the company strives to benefit from its growing market. “Clients rely on our excellent services, skilled employees and geographical competitive advantages,” summarizes Mr. Sarremejeanne. “By means of further investments, our project business will be enforced to ensure first-class solutions for the highest demands.”