Several French Atlantic Ports’ members are making infrastructure improvements to cater for an increase in cruise passengers.
These include Rouen, which is currently installing shore power at its cruise terminal, which can now handle ships up to 250 m in length; Honfleur’s QSH3 pier is due to offer shore power by the 2027 season, while Le Havre will construct three modern cruise terminals with a daily capacity of 13,500 pax and provide shore power at three quays by 2025/2026.
Elsewhere, Cherbourg is to introduce a new reception area in its historic Art Deco terminal, and will also offer shore power by 2026/2027.
In Caen/Ouistreham, a newly upgraded downtown cruise quay will open in 2025, coinciding with the city’s 1,000-year anniversary celebrations.
Bordeaux’s cruise facilities have expanded with the opening of a new pier at Pauillac, accommodating vessels up to 320 m in length within the Medoc wine district. New mooring buoys have also been installed between Dinard and St Malo for ships up to 250 m long.
In addition, at Brest vessels of all sizes can berth at the new Marine Renewable Energy Quay.
Finally, in Nantes/St Nazaire, ships of under 200 m can berth at Chevire Terminal, conveniently located near downtown Nantes.
The collaborative venture will welcome 875,000 cruise pax this year, a notable increase from 755,000 in 2023 and double the figure recorded in 2014. For 2025, projections include 450 cruise calls and 780,000 pax.
A representative of French Atlantic Ports told local media that the Channel/Atlantic route has gained significant traction among cruise lines, which highlighted the ports’ focus on collaboration over competition.
