The Paris Agreement in 2015 led to the implementation of a national strategy that strives for carbon neutrality by 2050 and the decarbonization of all transport modes. Modal shift of freight transport towards the most energy-efficient and least CO2-emitting modes will be a key contributing factor to achieving this. With the Seine as its natural backbone, HAROPA PORT has a major lever at its disposal: river transport to decarbonize its logistics and industrial activities, but also to facilitate the transport of goods to a congested Paris hinterland. The development of this project, aimed at connecting the deep-water port to the river, is the last link in a set of measures already in effect to meet this ambition.
In 2023, HAROPA PORT received approval for its project to create direct river access to its deep-water terminal Port 2000. Construction of this project will begin in 2025, which will include building a 100-meter-wide channel connecting the south dike of the historic port and the north dike of Port 2000 to ensure the continuity of the new channel. This will also be protected from swell by a 1,800-meter-long breakwater to enable access to the port under all conditions. The risks imposed by climate change and the predicted rise in sea levels by 2100 have also been embedded into the design of the project.
As the primary French gateway for international trade, this development will allow the entire river fleet to access maritime terminals, capture new traffic and promote modal shift, as well as facilitating the creation of a green corridor to decarbonize logistics chains. This present real GHG emissions reduction with river transport emitting up to 4 times less energy than road transport. Furthermore, to maximise emissions reductions, HAROPA PORT will also deploy 70 additional electric terminals along the Seine Axis from Le Havre to Paris.
Finally, HAROPA PORT incorporated ambitious prevention, reduction and compensation measures to support the surrounding environment, including the creation of a 10 hectare wetland area, environmental survey of the estuary, and a continuous monitoring process throughout and after the construction process to protect the local wildlife.