Rouen, France

Port Overview

Rouen is an inland port located in northwestern France on the Seine River, approximately 120 km from Paris. It ranks among the top five French ports and is Western Europe's largest grain export hub. Rouen plays a strategic role as a distribution center for agricultural products and connects major French cities and ports. The port handles around 1.2 million TEU annually, making it a significant player in container traffic and a key link between maritime and inland logistics in France.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Rouen’s port features 33 terminals along the Seine, including key facilities for cereals, fertilizers, petroleum products, forestry goods, heavy parcels, and containers. Major terminals include the Moulineaux container terminal and Radicâtel. Cargo handling is supported by gantry cranes (Liebherr 30t, Kalmar 55t), extensive quay lengths, and specialized heavy-lift and bulk terminals. The port also has liquid bulk storage, multimodal connections (road, rail, river, pipeline), but does not currently use AGVs.

Container Terminals

Rouen’s container terminal has 2 berths, with an annual capacity of approximately 250,000 TEU. The terminal is semi-automated, featuring modern handling equipment but not full automation. Major operators include HAROPA PORT and private stevedoring companies. The facility supports multimodal connections and primarily handles regional container traffic, serving as a key inland gateway for northern France.

Port Services

• Container handling: Dedicated container terminal with modern gantry cranes and equipment for efficient loading and unloading.
• Cargo operations: Handles a wide range of cargo including cereals, fertilizers, petroleum products, forestry goods, heavy parcels, and containers.
• Ship services: Pilotage, towage, berthing assistance, ship repairs, bunkering, provisions, and waste disposal.
• Warehousing: Extensive storage facilities for various cargo types, including covered and open storage areas.
• Customs: On-site customs clearance and formalities for import and export cargo.

Global Connectivity

Rouen is a major French seaport and river port strategically located on the Seine, serving as the closest maritime gateway to Paris and the broader Île-de-France region. It connects directly with Le Havre and Honfleur, and offers feeder and deep-sea shipping routes to West Africa, the UK, and other global markets. Rouen is Europe’s leading grain export hub and handles diverse cargoes, efficiently linking northern France to international trade routes.

Port Statistics

Port of Rouen – Key Statistics (2025):

• TEU Throughput: Approximately 300,000 TEU annually
• World Ranking: Not ranked among the world’s top 100 container ports; leading European grain export port
• Number of Berths: 60+ berths
• Port Area: About 1,000 hectares
• Shipping Lines: Served by major global and regional shipping lines, including CMA CGM, MSC, and Maersk

Rouen is Europe’s top grain export port, handling diverse cargoes and offering extensive river-sea connectivity.