French Atlantic Ports boost shorepower plans

Plans include shorepower, new state-of-the-art terminals, and new moorings.

“Cruising in Europe, particularly along the north and west coasts of France, offers passengers a wide range of itineraries and experiences,” said a French Atlantic Ports representative.

“We are proud to extend our true “Art de Vivre” to our visitors. Our ports provide welcoming and secure facilities capable of accommodating any type of cruise ship, whether for transit, interporting, or turnaround operations.”

French Atlantic Ports comprises Le Havre; Rouen, Honfleur; Cherbourg; St Malo; Brest; Lorient, Belle-Ile; Nantes, St Nazaire; La Rochelle; Bordeaux; Bayonne, St-Jean-de-Luz, Hendaye.

Collectively the ten ports expect to receive 875,000 cruise passengers in 2024, up from 755,000 in 2023 and doubling the number recorded in 2014.

“The Channel/Atlantic route has undoubtedly gained a strong reputation among cruise lines, affirming the French Atlantic Ports’ strategy of collaboration rather than competition,” continued the representative.

Shorepower

Rouen has begun installing shore power at its cruise terminal, which now can accommodate ships of up to 250m in length. Similarly, shorepower should be up and running at Honfleur’s QSH3 pier in time for the 2027 cruise season.

Le Havre will construct three state-of-the-art cruise terminals with a capacity up to 13, 500 passengers per day, and install shore power at three quays by 2025/26.

Cherbourg will have a new welcome area in its historical Art Deco cruise terminal as well as shore power by 2026/2027.

Other projects include an enhanced city centre cruise quay at Caen-Ouistreham, a new cruise pier in Bordeaux for ships up to 320m, new mooring buoys between Dinard and St Malo, and a new Marine Renewable Energy Quay in Brest.