Kercim, which opened a cement plant in Loire-Montoir last February, will start construction of a new works in Le Havre in early 2014.

It is expected that the new 0.6Mta works will gradually enter service, first as a grinding unit supplied by imported clinker in 2016. By 2020, it is envisaged to run to full capacity. Output from the plant is destined for the Paris region and transported by road, rail and via the Seine.

The Grand Port Maritime du Havre will build a new road on the MTV3 terminal, along the Grand Canal, to facilitate access. The harbour company expects dry bulk imports to soar to 0.5Mta as imports, including clinker (from Turkey, Germany and Spain) and Almerian gypsum, soar.