Transport at the Guiana Space Centre

While CSG’s primary mission is to send satellites into orbit, transport facilities on the base are indispensable, since mail, Ariane boosters, computer hardware, hazardous materials and, of course, people, have to be transported every day.

There are many different types of transport, both local and international, which may be straightforward, such as posting a letter, or complex and dangerous. Most of the Freight Forwarding and Transport operations at the French Guiana Space Centre have been entrusted to Endel and its subsidiary, Endel Logistics, in partnership with Peyrani. Since CNES/CSG responsibilities can vary for each shipment, depending on the contract in question, Endel takes care of the documents and the shipments on its behalf. Endel and its sub-contractors also provide most transport and import/export services required by satellite customers and manage the fleet of vehicles on the base. Security and safety regulations must always be observed to ensure the protection of both people and property for which CNES/CSG is responsible.

Handling special loads requires special equipment. Endel and other contractors at the Base make use of various machines which have been specially designed for the Space industry and which have, to say the least, unusual characteristics.

Moving goods around the world inevitably involves Customs & Excise. This Government Department has carte blanche, or very nearly, when it comes to checking the nature of goods and enforcing regulations.