Fos-sur-Mer / Gardanne – 11/02/2026: HES Fos, a subsidiary of HES International BV, and Alteo, a subsidiary of the UMSI Group, have signed a long-term partnership agreement covering the maritime unloading, storage, and downstream logistics of hydrated alumina destined for Alteo’s industrial site in Gardanne.
Under the terms of this agreement, HES Fos will handle vessel unloading operations at the Fos Mineral Terminal, product storage, and truck loading for onward transport to the Gardanne plant. These operations were previously carried out in Marseille; however, limitations in rail connectivity, combined with Alteo’s objective to reduce road transport, have led to the relocation of these flows to Fos-sur-Mer, in line with a long-term decarbonization strategy.
To ensure operational continuity, HES Fos will initially adapt a former clinker warehouse to make it compatible with hydrated alumina storage. In parallel, engineering studies for dedicated infrastructure are underway. Once this new facility is commissioned, currently expected around 2029, HES Fos will also integrate rail loading operations, enabling a gradual shift from road to rail transport.
Frédéric Pellegrin, President of HES Fos, commented:
“This agreement represents an important milestone in the development of HES Fos and reflects the progress achieved since the acquisition of the terminal in July 2025. This partnership illustrates our ability to support industrial clients over the long term and to contribute to the development of Fos-sur-Mer as a major logistics and industrial hub.”
Alain Moscatello, President of Alteo, added:
“The agreement concluded with HES Fos is a key step for Alteo and the Gardanne site. By supporting the transformation of our logistics chain, it fully aligns with our decarbonization strategy, with a clear trajectory toward increased use of rail transport.”
The first vessel call under this new agreement is expected at the HES Fos terminal in June of this year