Our aim :
to defend and promote the interests of the sector
GICAN, the French maritime industry association, is the trade association for over 300 manufacturers and organizations in the French maritime sector.
It brings together shipyards, systems manufacturers, equipment suppliers, subcontractors, engineering companies, naval architects, the naval aviation industry, as well as companies and organizations from the maritime ecosystem.
THE INDUSTRY'S LEADING UNION
Representing over 80% of the sector's sales and workforce, it is the industry's representative union, and the recognized contact for the various ministries and central administrations.
MORE THAN 80 MANDATES
With over 80 mandates, GICAN participates in the work of numerous government-industry dialogue bodies, as well as in the work of the Comité France Maritime alongside the Secrétariat Général de la Mer and the Cluster Maritime Français.rnrnGICAN is a member of the Comité Stratégique de Filière (CSF) des Industriels de la Mer, attached to the Conseil National de l'Industrie. GICAN is a trade federation member of UIMM and France Industrie.
A NETWORK OF PARTNERS
In the regions, GICAN relies on its network of partners, including competitiveness clusters.
A EUROPEAN IMPACT
In Brussels, GICAN works with the European associations The Shipyards' & Maritime Equipment Association of Europe (SEA Europe) and AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD).
Our mission
are threefold
Our history
1899
On December 6, 1899, the Chambre Syndicale des Constructeurs de Navires et de Machines Marines was created (law of March 21, 1884 on professional unions). Its head office is located at 6 rue Mogador (9th arrondissement).
The founders are :
- Jouet-Pastré et Widmann, from Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée,
- de Cabrol et Chaudoye, from Chantiers de la Loire,
- de Bondy, from Chantiers de la Gironde,
- Daymard, from Chantiers de Penhoët,
- Lichtenberger, from Schneider & Cie.
Mr Jouet-Pastré will be the first Chairman.
1948
Under the aegis of the Chambre Syndicale, creation of the Institut de Recherches de la Construction Navale (IRCN) by Mr Charpentier and Mr Dieudonné.
1950
Creation of the Groupement d'exportation de navires et d'engins de mer en acier (GENEMA), in order to prospect foreign markets. GENEMA took the form of a limited liability company whose partners were the main shipyards belonging to the trade association.
1968
Creation of a Liaison Committee of E.E.C. Shipbuilders, bringing together the shipbuilders' associations of the five maritime countries of the European Economic Community (E.E.C.), and thus becoming the interlocutor of the Brussels Authorities. The General Secretariat was entrusted to the Chambre Syndicale.
Creation of the French Naval and Naval Aviation Equipment Exhibition, organised by the French Navy and later by the French Direction générale de l'armement (DGA). This exhibition brings together French exhibitors for French and foreign customers.
1974
Creation of the Comité Français des Équipementiers du Naval (COFRENA), an association under the law of 1901 bringing together naval equipment manufacturers, particularly with a view to accessing export markets. Equipment manufacturers account for around 50% of shipbuilding industry sales.
1980
Creation of the Association Française des Industries Navales (AFINAVAL), which brings together the Chambre Syndicale des Constructeurs de Navires et de Machines Marines, the Comité Français des Équipementiers du Naval (COFRENA) and the Syndicat National des Industries de la Réparation Navale (SIRENA).
1983
Creation of the Union des Chantiers Navals (UCN), a trade association whose purpose is to develop cooperation between small shipyards. UCN is administered by the CSCN.
On 23 June, following its General Meeting, the Chambre Syndicale changes its title to Chambre Syndicale des Constructeurs de Navires (CSCN).
1992
Creation of the Groupement Industriel des Constructions et Armements navals (GICAN), whose purpose was to :
- to bring together French exhibitors at the French exhibition of equipment for naval and air-naval forces, with a view to expressing their point of view and contributing to the Official Services, in particular the Délégation Générale pour l'Armement, in the organization and realization of this exhibition
- to promote the naval and aeronautical equipment and services of the association's members, both in France and abroad, by means of any other promotional events.
1994
Following the DGA's request to transfer the organisation of the French exhibition of equipment for naval forces to GICAN and its members, GICAN had to set up a new commercial structure. The decision was made to create a limited liability company. On 27 May 1994, SOGENA was born.
This marked a completely new dimension for the show, which opened its doors to foreign exhibitors and took on the name EURONAVAL.
It was also in the context of a difficult situation for civil shipyards that the Haut Comité de la construction navale was created, bringing together the Direction des chantiers navals (DCN) and the CSCN to work together to develop the French civil and military shipbuilding industry.
2009
Absorption of GICAN by CSCN, keeping the name GICAN, but with a different meaning: "Groupement des industries de construction et activités navales" to better emphasize the dual aspect of the trade association.
2024
GICAN is celebrating 125 years of serving the excellence of the French naval and maritime industry.