February 11, 2026 [Storage Terminals Magazine]- HES Fos, a subsidiary of HES International BV, and Alteo, part 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 agreement, HES Fos will manage vessel unloading operations at the Fos Mineral Terminal, product storage and truck loading for onward transport to the Gardanne plant. These activities were previously handled in Marseille; however, constraints related to rail connectivity, combined with Alteo’s objective to reduce road transport, have prompted the relocation of the logistics flows to Fos-sur-Mer. The move supports a long-term decarbonisation strategy.

To ensure continuity of operations, HES Fos will initially adapt a former clinker warehouse to enable the storage of hydrated alumina. In parallel, engineering studies are under way for the development of dedicated infrastructure. Once the new facility is commissioned, currently expected around 2029, rail loading operations will also be incorporated, allowing a gradual transition from road to rail transport.

The agreement marks an important milestone in the development of HES Fos following its acquisition of the terminal in July 2025. It also underlines the company’s capability to support industrial customers through long-term partnerships while contributing to the development of Fos-sur-Mer as a key logistics and industrial hub.

For Alteo, the partnership represents a significant step in the evolution of its Gardanne site. By supporting the transformation of its logistics chain, the agreement aligns closely with the company’s decarbonisation objectives, including a clear pathway towards increased use of rail transport.

The first vessel call under the new agreement is expected at the HES Fos terminal in June this year.