Traffic in the ports of Le Havre, Rouen and Paris increased by 2% in 2022, driven by an exceptional cereal campaign and an increase in liquid bulk, the public establishment Haropa Port, which brings them together, reported on Monday.
Haropa port’s maritime traffic reached 85.1 million tons in 2022, up from 84 million the previous year. However, it is still below the levels prior to the health crisis, since it had totaled 90 million tons in 2019. The public establishment, founded in June 2021, no longer gives details of each of its different ports.
The skipper of Haropa Port expects a lot from the 700 million euro investment from the Swiss-Italian shipowner MSC, announced in July, to strengthen its position in Le Havre, where its traffic will increase from 1.5 to 4.5 million TEUs for 2030.
Gonfreville refinery restart
Stéphane Raison is also delighted with “an excellent cereal campaign” with 8.6 million tons (+12%), the “third record for cereals processed in Rouen for export”.
Liquid bulks also increased thanks to the start-up of the Gonfreville (Seine-Maritime) refinery, while car imports fell. As for cruise passengers, they are beginning to return.
River traffic on the Seine in Ile-de-France also fell 6% in a year, to 21 million tons, due to decreased construction activity. On the other hand, river transport of containers has increased by 25% in Paris-Gennevilliers, noted Mr. Raison, who promotes “a low-carbon logistics corridor” using the river and rail to supply Ile-de-France.
For 2023, “we remain extremely cautious” given the economic situation, he said, saying he wanted to “stay above 80 million tonnes.”
Source: BFM TV
