New development program for Port of Le Havre

The Port of Le Havre in France has launched an investment plan totalling some U.S. $686 million over a five-year period, from 2001-2006.

The plan is an attempt to respond to robust growth in container traffic that is expected to increase as the port constructs new container facilities under its Port 2000 initiative. The plan also anticipates the need to increase the capacity of Le Havre’s roll-on, roll-off and bulk facilities. U.S. $529 million has been allocated for the first six berths in the Port 2000 project and U.S.$157 million for the other projects.

Construction on Port 2000 will begin this year. A contract for dredging of the new wet dock and construction of quays is being finalized, and negotiations are underway at the European level regarding shipping access and construction of a new breakwater.

The new investment is also geared to reinforcing Le Havre’s capabilities for logistics distribution and for information systems.