The digging of the Seine-Nord Europe (SNE) canal will not begin until 2024. But the company which is carrying this pharaonic project to more than 5 billion euros, financed in particular by Europe, is already organizing meetings information to companies in Hauts-de-France, hoping that they will participate. The SNE will connect Compiègne (Oise) to Aubencheul-au-Bac (North) by 2030.
This large-gauge canal, 107 km long and 54 m wide, will be an essential link in the Seine-Escaut river link. The first groundbreaking took place in October in the Oise, and in the third quarter of 2022, 84 companies were mobilized around the site, including 19% regional.
29 professions to mobilize
In 2024, the works of the Paris 2024 Olympics should be finished but not those of Greater Paris. However, at the height of the digging of the canal, 6,000 jobs, i.e. 29 trades, will have to be necessary: ”It will take 1,000 drivers of machinery and heavy goods vehicles, 500 formworkers, scrap metal workers and welders, 300 road workers, various networks, builders of roads, mechanics, crane operators, green space workers, 300 supervisory staff…” listed Nicolas Dumont, director of economic development for the Société du canal Seine-Nord Europe, during a presentation in Abbeville (Somme).
In the room, many entrepreneurs showed interest. They can now be referenced on the CCI Business Hauts-de-France platform, one of the tools of Canal Entreprises, supported by the region and the Hauts-de-France Chamber of Commerce. “450 companies are already referenced, lists Estienne Lemaire, industry project manager at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hauts-de-France. This proves that they believe that there are safeguards, in particular for the regulations. Many hope to participate in this project which has a historical side. »