BDP International SAS, a subsidiary of global logistics firm BDP International, has opened its fourth office in France in Marseille.

The company also maintains offices in Roissy-CDG (headquarters), Le Havre and Lyon.

The port of Marseille last year handled 86 million t of cargo and more than €950 million, making it the largest in France and the fifth-largest in Europe behind Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg and Amsterdam.

"As the gateway to southern France, Marseille will serve as the focal point for developing our customer base in the region and reaching out to companies engaged in chemicals, health care, life sciences, retail and mid-market industries," said Thierry Seutin, BDP's country manager for France.

"While the port owes its prominence to crude oil and related downstream industries, these now account for just a third of its activity as region's economy becomes more diversified."

The new office will provide a full range of transportation and logistics services for both domestic and international shippers, including end-to-end import/export forwarding and transport, online shipment tracking and global documentation, storage and handling including hazardous materials, consolidation/deconsolidation and customs clearance, as well as insurance, banking and legal services.

The new office is located at 10 Place de la Joliette, Les Docks Atrium 10.6, BP 13543, 13567 Marseille Cedex; Tel: 33 (0) 491 134 581; Fax: 33 (0) 491 134 509; E-mail: marseille@bdpinternational.com.