Tunisia's CMR subsidiary aims to support Secren's recovery efforts. This week, Claude Miguet, general director of the Mediterranean company, visited Antsiranana. CMR Tunisia managers met with Secren executives last week.

Positive signals are emerging. Compagnie Méditerranéenne de Réparation (CMR) Tunisia has held discussions this week with officials from Société d'Études, de Construction et de Réparations Navales (Secren). Its general director, Claude Miguet, visited the Antsiranana naval shipyard early this week alongside his counterpart, Félicien Milson, Secren's general director. Initial signals suggest potential cooperation for reviving the Antsiranana shipyard, particularly through skills and expertise transfer.

Secren plans to leverage the solid experience of CMR Group's Tunisian subsidiary, a French shipping company specializing in manufacturing industrial components essential for shipyards, including electrical cable harnesses, sensors, systems, and high-power marine and energy engines. Félicien Milson, recently appointed to lead the company, has demonstrated determination to pull the enterprise out of crisis.

According to a statement, "these meetings reflect the Secren director's commitment and his team's determination to meet the challenge of revitalizing the company and restoring its full industrial purpose." Behind the scenes, Claude Miguet's visit also aimed to "review the partnership between Secren and CMR Tunisia and explore strengthening opportunities," sources indicate. Both parties expressed clear intentions: CMR Tunisia wants to support Secren's recovery, while Secren aims to rebound through improved governance and investments.

Modernization

Informed sources suggest cooperation could involve sending Secren technicians and personnel to Tunisia. This reciprocal exchange would allow shipyard technicians to develop new skills and acquire techniques meeting naval industry standards. Infrastructure concerns were not overlooked. Claude Miguet emphasized upgrading facilities. "Modernizing Secren and using equipment meeting international standards are essential steps before welcoming ships again," he stated.

Secren launched its recovery plan months ago. The executive approved in May a budget line in the supplementary finance law to help the company recover. Secren's overall recovery plan totals nearly 147 billion ariary, allocated for rehabilitating and modernizing the industry. Earlier this year, authorities mentioned the urgent need for 27 billion ariary to get Secren back on track.

By Itamara Otton