Infrastructure, Transport & Logistics

Our sector-specific team is involved across the entire transport infrastructure value chain
“We advise local authorities, infrastructure owners and operators on the development, competitiveness and decarbonisation of port, airport and multimodal ecosystems.”

Our expertise

Our expertise in ports, airports and multimodal hubs

We support the transformation of operational models for airport, river and seaport, rail and logistics operators, in the mutual interest of infrastructure managers, operators and owners.

Our diverse functional expertise in these sectors is a prerequisite that enables us to quickly identify key issues and tailor our interventions to closely align with our clients’ expectations, specific challenges and the unique characteristics of their operations.

Our expertise in Finance, Economics, Strategy and IT enables us to address a wide range of issues, generally relating to the improvement of the economic model of the infrastructure in question or its logistical organisation.

We regularly collaborate with partner firms to incorporate the specific expertise required for certain studies into our offering.

The methodology deployed is systematically co-developed with our clients’ teams.

Our teams operate with a commitment to providing close, high-quality support with significant added value, listening to our clients to enable the development of their business, institution or organisation… towards greater efficiency and sustainably improved performance.

Your benefits

01

Multidisciplinary sector-specific expertise

Finance, economics, organisation, information systems, change management and strategy, as applied to the port, airport and logistics sectors
02

A complementary public-private approach

A thorough understanding of the challenges faced by public sector clients and private sector stakeholders
03

Tailored support

Co-creation is at the heart of our approach to designing bespoke support for our clients
04

Long service record

Experienced staff providing practical, high-value-added advice

Our services

Consultancy services for the selection and implementation of management systems

• Economic, accounting and financial expertise to help select an appropriate and suitable management model,
• Financial modelling of future operations, investments and financing,
• Support with the negotiation of complex contracts,
• Advice on the financial aspects of pre-notification procedures with the European Commission.

Multimodal supply chains

• Technical, economic and financial feasibility studies for a modal shift in freight flows or the development of multimodal transport systems,
• Analysis of operations and development of a decarbonisation roadmap, through projects involving modal shifts, changes to the energy mix and/or technical developments.

Socio-economic impact assessment

Assessment of turnover, added value and jobs generated or supported by the presence of transport infrastructure in the region, with a possible focus on specific sectors or geographical areas.

Financial and Contract Audit

• Analysis of concessionaires’ annual reports and accounts to make them easier for the licensing authorities to understand,
• Identification of key issues to be reported to senior management and preparation of appropriate educational presentation materials.

Development and redevelopment of port facilities

Defining new development targets for port facilities, in line with strategic and economic objectives relating to both logistics and land use – a service often provided prior to the re-tendering of public service delegation contracts.

Forecasting and strategy

• Current situation analyses and forward-looking studies to adapt service offerings or infrastructure, or to inform strategic planning,
• Development and implementation of strategic plans and their translation into business projects.

Our commitments

When you choose Ad Astra, you can be sure of having a team of experts in infrastructure, transport and logistics
  • Attentive to our customers’ needs
  • Responsive and efficient
  • With recognised sector-specific and functional expertise
  • Involved

business case

River Trade Ports State Public Body
Context

We have been working with Voies Navigables de France (VNF) since 2017 to secure financing arrangements, improve contract management, anticipate year-end issues, mitigate risks, and align the management of port sites with the organisation’s strategic objectives.

Examples: The ports of Chalon-sur-Saône and Mâcon are due to be put out to tender again when the current contracts expire.

Work performed

Following a commercial, logistical and organisational assessment of the Saône river port facilities, we proposed two development scenarios for each site. We redefined the areas to be allocated to public ports and those to be leased out, and proposed new equipment (tools and superstructures) to enable efficient cargo handling and value-added services for the hinterland.

These scenarios enabled us to draw up a robust business plan.

Support for the re-tendering of the concessions could then begin:

  • Closure of existing contracts,
  • Determining the value and duration of the concession,
  • Support with drafting the tender documents,
  • Review of applications and tenders,
  • Support during the negotiation and decision-making stages,
  • Finalisation of the contract.
Results

This long-term support has enabled the development of a project that breaks with existing platforms, capable of giving new impetus to the ports of the Saône, whilst ensuring a fair and transparent re-tendering process.

business case

Airport
Joint Association
Context

As the concession agreement for Beauvais Airport was due to expire, the Syndicat Mixte, which owns the airport, sought support with the process of renewing the contract for the operation and management of Beauvais Airport.

In this context, we assisted the Syndicat Mixte with the closure of the Beauvais Airport concession.

Work performed
  • Staff review and transfer of personnel data,
  • A comprehensive, collaborative inventory of cultural heritage,
  • Reconciliation of physical stock and book stock,
  • Inspection of returned goods,
  • Preliminary closing balance sheet, closing balance sheet and organisation of transfer operations,
  • Participation in protocol negotiations.
Results

A smooth transition between two operators and a guaranteed public service.

business case

Marine marinas Key account
Context

Eiffage Concessions has submitted a bid to operate several marinas in the south of France.

Work performed

We worked with Eiffage Concessions and its partners to carry out a 30-year economic modelling exercise for the marina concessions for which the company was bidding:

  • Support in drawing up business plans and drafting tenders for several public service contracts relating to the redevelopment and operation of marinas in the south of France,
  • Assistance to Eiffage’s finance division in simulating stress scenarios at the request of lenders as part of the finalisation of the project financing.
Results

The Eiffage consortium has been awarded a public service delegation contract, and we continue to support the teams that have been in place since the contract came into effect.