French shipyard Chantier Naval Port-Fréjus (CNPF) has closed its doors after its tender was not renewed.
The shipyard had been based at Port Fréjus on the French Riviera for 15 years but was told a few weeks’ ago that its tender was not being renewed by SPL Ports de Fréjus.
In a statement, the shipyard, which employed 25 staff, thanked everyone who had given their best but it was being ‘coerced and forced’ to leave.
“It is with great sadness that we will hand over the keys to SPL Port Fréjus, by decision of the municipality of Fréjus, which has chosen to put an end to the existence of a local company that provided a living for 25 families and promoted the nautical know-how of our territory,” said the statement.
Contrary to all expectations, the SPL management recently announced that there would be no contract renewal or call for tenders.
“It’s not just a business that is being closed. It is a team that is broken, a human history that is interrupted without economic justification, a desire to serve sacrificed for reasons that have never been clearly explained.”
And the shipyard said it had never failed in its commitments and instead had innovated, invested, trained, supported, created jobs and carried the colours of Port Fréjus high.
The statement continued: “We leave proud of what we have accomplished but bitter at the silence and contempt with which a municipality, with a sulphurous reputation, has been able to sweep away 15 years of work.”
It is understood four out of the 25 employees will remain at the site.
Tender renewal
CNPF was notified its tender renewal was not being renewed earlier in 2025 and in May raised a public petition against the decision.
“In December 2024, the SPL – the port manager – announced the launch of a call for tenders for the award of a five-year contract to manage the dry dock. This prospect fuelled legitimate hopes of continuity for the shipyard’s operations,” stated the petition.
“Contrary to all expectations, the SPL management recently announced that there would be no contract renewal or call for tenders. It is now considering direct management, without any prior consultation with the parties concerned.”
The shipyard’s activity has generated an annual turnover of around 700,000 euros and provided a range of services including mechanics, painting, renovation, and boat craning.
The SPL has said it is carrying out a modernisation project at the Port which it says is a prerequisite before launching a new call for tenders.
