Le Havre, France

Port Overview

Le Havre is a major port city located in northwestern France at the confluence of the Seine River and the English Channel in the Normandy region, approximately 134 miles northwest of Paris. It ranks as France's second-largest commercial port by overall tonnage and the country's largest container port. The port handles approximately 2.9 million TEUs annually, accounting for roughly 60% of France's container traffic. Its strategic location serves as France's main Atlantic gateway, connecting Northern Europe with Asia and the Americas. The port features three sets of container terminals and extensive infrastructure linking to river, rail, and road networks throughout Europe.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Le Havre, France’s main port facilities include the Port 2000 container terminals, Normandy and Atlantic terminals, and the Ocean Terminal. Key cargo facilities handle containers, liquid and dry bulk, RoRo vehicles, and general cargo. Equipment includes overpanamax and super overpanamax gantry cranes, mobile cranes up to 100 tons, and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for container handling. The port also features advanced logistics infrastructure, rail and river connections, and modern cruise terminals with shore power.

Container Terminals

Le Havre is France’s largest container port, with five major maritime terminals and over a dozen berths dedicated to container handling. The port’s total annual capacity exceeds 3 million TEUs, with Terminaux de Normandie alone handling up to 1.8 million TEUs after recent expansion. Automation is advancing, especially at Terminaux de Normandie, which is installing electrified cranes and shore power systems. Major operators include GMP, MSC (via TiL), and CNMP. The port offers deepwater access for the largest vessels and serves as a key gateway to Northwestern Europe.

Port Services

• Container handling: Modern container terminals with high-capacity gantry cranes for efficient loading and unloading.
• Cargo operations: Facilities for bulk, liquid, RoRo, and general cargo, supported by deep-water docks and advanced logistics.
• Ship services: Pilotage, towage, bunkering, waste management, and ship repair.
• Warehousing: Over 600,000 square meters of dedicated storage space for various cargo types.
• Customs: Comprehensive customs clearance and compliance services, with on-site customs offices for streamlined import/export processing.

Global Connectivity

Le Havre is France’s leading container port, serving as the main maritime gateway to Paris and the Seine Valley. It connects with nearly 700 ports worldwide, including direct ferry links to Portsmouth and Rosslare. The port is integrated into major shipping routes across the English Channel, North Sea, and global markets, efficiently serving northern France, Benelux, and broader European regions via extensive road, rail, and inland waterway networks.

Port Statistics

Le Havre Port Statistics:

• TEU Throughput: 3.1 million TEU in 2024.
• World Ranking: Not specified.
• Number of Berths: Multiple berths across terminals.
• Area: The Le Havre Multimodal Terminal spans 100 hectares.
• Shipping Lines: Major lines operate here, including MSC.