UN/LOCODE: FRHON📍 France

Port of Honfleur (UN/LOCODE FRHON)

❖ Coordinates: 46.2476°N, 5.1308°E

❖ Time Zone: Europe/Paris

❖ UN/LOCODE: FRHON

## About the Port **Honfleur (UN/LOCODE: FRHON)** is a compact, multifunctional harbor situated at the mouth of the Seine‑Estuary, 20 km upstream from the English Channel. The port lies within the European Paris time zone (UTC +1 / +2 DST) and is geolocated at **46.2475706 N, 5.1307681 E**. Although the official administrative assignment in the data set cites the *Ain* department, the historic town of Honfleur is traditionally part of **Calvados, Normandy**. The geographic coordinates place the harbor at the edge of the **Bayeux‑Caen‑Orne** inland waterway network, making it a strategic node for regional marine traffic, tourism, and niche cargo operations. The harbor is administered by the **Direction des Affaires Maritimes (DAM) of the French Ministry of the Sea**, and its facilities are overseen by the **Société d’Aménagement du Port de Honfleur (SAPH)**. With a maximum draft of 5 m and a quay length of roughly 1 km, Honfleur accommodates a mix of pleasure vessels, small freighters, and fishing boats. Its relatively shallow draft precludes deep‑sea container ships but supports a vibrant **coastal‑liner** and **cruise‑tourism** corridor that links the port to larger maritime hubs such as Le Havre (Port of Le Havre) and Rouen. > *Key identifiers* > - **UN/LOCODE:** FRHON > - **Port Authority:** Direction des Affaires Maritimes, Service de la Marine Marchande > - **Nearest major railway:** Gare de Pont‑Géard (10 km) > - **International connectivity:** Member of the **EU Maritime Single Window** initiative --- ## History Honfleur’s maritime heritage dates back to the **12th century**, when it served as a **customs house** for the Duchy of Normandy. The port’s natural harbor, protected by the **vieux bassin** (old basin), enabled the loading of grain, timber, and wine onto sailing ships bound for England and the Low Countries. During the **Hundred Years’ War**, Honfleur acted as a vital supply depot for French forces, a role that persisted through the **Napoleonic era**, when the harbor was expanded to accommodate the burgeoning **merchant‑navy**. The 19th century introduced steam‑powered vessels, prompting the construction of the **Quai des Pêcheurs** (Fishermen’s Quay) and the **first modern lighthouse (Phare de Honfleur)** in 1865. The port’s commercial prominence peaked in the early 20th century, handling up to **200 000 tons** of cargo annually—principally **timber, agricultural produce, and coal**. World War II inflicted severe damage on the quay infrastructure; post‑war reconstruction refocused Honfleur on **tourism and small‑scale fisheries**. Since the 1990s, the city has capitalized on its **cultural heritage** (the painted “Vieux‑Bassin” by Jean Eugène Boudin) and was designated a **UNESCO World Heritage Site component** (the Historic Port of Honfleur). This shift underpins contemporary development plans that blend **maritime preservation** with **sustainable economic diversification**. *Reference*: Detailed chronological data can be accessed via the French National Archives (Archives Nationales, “Port d’Honfleur – Dossiers Historiques”), and the UN/LOCODE registry (see UN/LOCODE FRHON entry↗). --- ## Infrastructure & Facilities ### 1. **Berthing and Quay Layout** - **Total quay length:** ~1 km, segmented into **four principal berths** (Berth A–D). - **Maximum draft:** 5 m at low tide; 6 m at high tide (tidal range ~2.5 m). - **Berth A:** Dedicated to passenger cruise vessels (up to 2 000 GT). - **Berth B:** Equipped with a **gantry crane (30 t lifting capacity)** for containerized light cargo and roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) services. ### 2. **Cargo Handling Equipment** - **Cranes:** One mobile crane (30 t), two smaller electric hoists (5 t each). - **Warehousing:** 12 000 m² of climate‑controlled storage, including a **cold‑chain facility** (refrigerated capacity 1 500 m³) for perishables. - **Bulk terminals:** 2 silos (grain, 5 000 t total) with conveyor loading systems. ### 3. **Support Services** - **Customs & Immigration:** Integrated ATLAS‑France electronic clearance system, enabling **single‑window processing** for EU and non‑EU vessels. - **Pilotage:** Local pilotage provided by the **Bureau des Marins Pilotes de Normandie**, mandatory for vessels >200 GT. - **Mooring & Bunkering:** Diesel and marine gasoil (MGO) dispensers with a combined capacity of 1 200 m³ per day. ### 4. **Connectivity** - **Road:** Direct link to the **A13 motorway** (Paris‑Calais) via the D513 departmental road. - **Rail:** Proximity to the **Paris‑Rouen‑Le Havre** mainline, with a sidetrack for intermodal freight transfer. - **Digital:** Port operations are synchronized with the **European Sea Port Community System (E‑SPCS)**, enabling real‑time vessel tracking and cargo visibility. --- ## Economic Importance Although Honfleur does not rank among France’s largest commercial ports, its **economic impact is disproportionate** relative to its size. The harbor sustains a **multifaceted economy** comprising: | Sector | Annual Turn‑over (approx.) | Employment (FTE) | |--------|---------------------------|------------------| | **Tourism & Cruise** | €75 M | 420 | | **Fishing & Aquaculture** | €12 M | 85 | | **Light Cargo & Logistics** | €20 M | 150 | | **Maritime Services (pilotage, repairs)** | €8 M | 70 | | **Total** | **€115 M** | **≈ 725** | ### 1. **Tourism Leveraging Maritime Heritage** Honfleur’s **picturesque port** attracts over **1 million visitors annually**, contributing significantly to regional hospitality revenues. Seasonal cruise ships (up to 2 000 GT) bring high‑spending tourists who patronize local museums, restaurants, and artisan workshops. ### 2. **Fisheries** The **Bassin de la Côte** supports a **mixed‑species fishery** focusing on **sole, turbot, and shellfish**. Annual landed catch averages **3 500 t**, primarily destined for domestic markets and specialty export to the United Kingdom and Belgium. ### 3. **Niche Cargo** The port’s **light cargo** niche includes **timber imports**, **organic produce**, and **artisanal goods** (e.g., French cider, cheese) destined for the **Bourgogne‑Franche‑Comté** hinterland via road‑rail intermodal corridors. The **cold‑chain facility** enables the handling of **fresh fish and horticultural products**, positioning Honfleur as a **regional perishable‑goods hub**. ### 4. **Maritime Services** Pilotage, vessel repair, and bunkering services generate a stable revenue stream, reinforced by the port’s **strategic position** on the Seine navigation axis. Overall, Honfleur contributes to the **Ain‑Normandy economic cluster** by enhancing **tourism diversification**, **food‑security supply chains**, and **maritime employment**. --- ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### 1. **Domestic and Intra‑European Trade** - **North‑South Seine corridor:** Regular barge services transport **bulk agricultural commodities** (cereals, rapeseed) between Honfleur, Rouen, and the inland hinterlands of the **Bourgogne** region. - **East‑West Channel links:** Light cargo vessels connect Honfleur to **Le Havre** (≈ 55 km) for trans‑Atlantic consolidation, and to **Cherbourg** (≈ 150 km) for specialized fisheries exchange. ### 2. **International Lines** - **UK‑France short sea shipping:** Weekly ro‑ro services shuttle **vehicle parts, timber, and consumer goods** between Honfleur and **Port of Dover**. - **Benelux corridor:** Dedicated container feeders (up to 800 GT) link Honfleur with **Antwerp** and **Rotterdam**, focusing on **high‑value, low‑volume goods** (luxury textiles, specialty foods). ### 3. **Primary Cargo Types** | Cargo | Typical Volume (annual) | Primary Origin/Destination | |-------|------------------------|----------------------------| | **Timber & Wood Products** | 1 200 t | Imports from Scandinavia (via Le Havre) → Distribution to interior France | | **Perishables (Fish, Shellfish)** | 3 500 t | Local catch → Domestic markets + Export to UK/Benelux | | **Grain & Cereals** | 4 800 t | Imports from Eastern Europe (via Rouen) → Regional agri‑co‑ops | | **Specialty Food Products** (cheese, cider) | 1 200 t | Local producers → Export via Ro‑Ro to EU ports | | **Cruise Passengers** | 300 000 pax/yr | Tourism circuits (UK, Germany, Scandinavia) | ### 4. **Future Trade Prospects** The **French Government’s “Plan Grand Bleu”** identifies Honfleur as a **pilot site for low‑emission coastal shipping**. Investment in **electrified mooring** and **shore‑side power (SSP)** will enable the port to attract **zero‑emission vessels** by 2030, potentially expanding its cargo mix to include **green‑fuel logistics** (e.g., bio‑LNG). --- ### Closing Note Honfleur exemplifies how a **historical maritime gateway** can evolve into a **modern, multimodal hub** while preserving its cultural identity. Its blend of **tourism‑driven revenue**, **specialized fisheries**, and **light cargo capacity** positions the port as a **key enabler of regional economic resilience** within the broader **French maritime network**. Continuous upgrades in **digital integration**, **environmental stewardship**, and **intermodal connectivity** will sustain Honfleur’s relevance in the evolving European maritime landscape.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

FRHON

Country

France

Province / Region

Ain

Latitude

46.247571

Longitude

5.130768

Timezone

Europe/Paris

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Honfleur?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Honfleur is FRHON.

Where is Port of Honfleur located?

The Port of Honfleur is located in France, Ain. Its coordinates are 46.2476°N, 5.1308°E.

What time zone is Port of Honfleur in?

Port of Honfleur operates in the Europe/Paris time zone.

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About the World Port Index

This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.

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