Bordeaux, France
Bordeaux, France: UNESCO World Heritage city and global capital of wine, renowned for its historic architecture and vibrant riverfront.
Port Overview
Bordeaux is located in southwest France on the Garonne River, serving as the Atlantic gateway to the European Union. It ranks among France’s top six busiest ports and is a key multimodal hub, connecting road, rail, and air networks. The port handles approximately 65,000 TEU annually and manages around 6 million tonnes of cargo, with hydrocarbons and cereals as major commodities. Bordeaux’s strategic importance lies in its connectivity to over 300 global ports and its role in supporting regional industries and innovation.
Facilities & Infrastructure
Bordeaux’s port features seven main terminals: Bassens (multi-bulk, cereals, containers, forest products, heavy parcels), Le Verdon (deep-water, containers, cruise ships, ro-ro ramp, two container gantry cranes), Ambès (hydrocarbons, chemicals), Blaye (cereals, bulk liquids), Pauillac (oil, gas), Parempuyre (heavy parcels, aggregates), and the city center terminal (cruise ships). Facilities include extensive quays, rail links, container handling equipment, and specialized storage. Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are not currently highlighted among core equipment.
Container Terminals
Bordeaux’s main container terminals are at Bassens and Le Verdon. Bassens has nearly 80,000 TEU annual capacity, with several berths along over 3 km of quays, and Le Verdon offers 3 deep-water berths with 2 container gantries. Automation is limited, with operations primarily conventional rather than automated. The port is managed by Grand Port Maritime de Bordeaux, with terminal operations involving local and regional logistics companies.
Port Services
- Container handling: Dedicated container terminals with gantry cranes and multimodal connections for efficient container operations.
- Cargo operations: Facilities for bulk, general, and specialized cargo including hydrocarbons, cereals, industrial bulk, heavy lift, and recycling.
- Ship services: Berthing, fresh water supply, waste collection, bunkering (at select terminals), and 24/7 port operations.
- Warehousing: On-dock storage warehouses, hangars, and real estate for logistics and industrial projects.
- Customs: Simplified customs procedures, free zone areas, and strategic tax benefits for streamlined cargo clearance.
Global Connectivity
Bordeaux Port, located on the Atlantic coast in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, connects to over 300 ports worldwide across five continents. It serves southwestern France and key European regions via extensive road, rail, and river networks. Major shipping routes link Bordeaux to global markets, including North America, Africa, and Europe. The port’s seven specialized terminals handle containers, bulk, hydrocarbons, and cereals, supporting both regional industries and international trade.
Port Statistics
Port of Bordeaux, France – Key Statistics (2025):
- TEU throughput: Approximately 80,000 TEU per year
- World ranking: Not ranked among the top 100 container ports globally
- Number of berths: 7 specialized terminals with multiple berths
- Port area: Le Verdon terminal covers 59 hectares; total port area is larger across all terminals
- Shipping lines: Serves routes connecting to 5 continents, with regular container, bulk, Ro-Ro, and passenger services
