UN/LOCODE: FRLRH📍 France

Port of La Rochelle (UN/LOCODE FRLRH)

❖ Coordinates: 46.1603°N, -1.1511°E

❖ Time Zone: Europe/Paris

❖ UN/LOCODE: FRLRH

## About the Port The **Port of La Rochelle** (UN/LOCODE: **FRLRH**) is a major multi-purpose maritime gateway situated on the French Atlantic coast in the department of Charente-Maritime, Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Strategically positioned at latitude 46.160329° N and longitude -1.151139° W, the port complex benefits from a deep-water estuary access via the Pertuis d'Antioche, offering natural shelter from prevailing westerly swells. Operating within the Europe/Paris timezone (CET/CEST), it serves as a critical logistics node connecting the French interior, the Iberian Peninsula, and transatlantic shipping lanes. Managed by the *Grand Port Maritime de La Rochelle* (GPMLR), a state-owned public establishment created in 2008, the port handles approximately 7 to 9 million tonnes of cargo annually. Its jurisdiction extends over the historic *Vieux Port*, the commercial *Port de La Pallice* (inaugurated 1890), and the specialized *Port de Chef-de-Baie*. The authority oversees landlord port functions, including infrastructure maintenance, hydrographic safety, and concession management for private terminal operators. The port holds certifications for ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environment), and ISO 50001 (Energy Management), reflecting its commitment to the "Green Port" strategy aligned with the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) guidelines. ## History La Rochelle’s maritime vocation dates to the 12th century when Eleanor of Aquitaine granted the town a communal charter, establishing it as a free port. During the Middle Ages, it became the premier French port for the wine and salt trade with England and the Hanseatic League. The 16th and 17th centuries saw the port thrive on transatlantic commerce—specifically the triangular trade and the cod fishery off Newfoundland—financing the construction of its iconic medieval towers (Tour de la Chaîne, Tour Saint-Nicolas) which still guard the Vieux Port entrance. The Great Siege of 1627–1628, led by Cardinal Richelieu, decimated the population and destroyed the fleet, initiating a long decline. Recovery began in the 18th century with the "trade to the Isles" (sugar, coffee, cotton), but the silting of the inner harbor necessitated a modern deep-water solution. The decisive infrastructure shift occurred with the construction of the **La Pallice deep-water port** (1883–1890), featuring a 600-meter tidal basin and a lock system allowing access regardless of tide. During World War II, the German Kriegsmarine transformed La Pallice into a major U-boat base (the *U-Boot-Bunker Valentin* equivalent), constructing massive reinforced concrete pens that survived heavy Allied bombing. Post-liberation, the port was rapidly reconstructed. The late 20th century witnessed diversification: the cessation of the Newfoundland fishery (1992) prompted a pivot toward cereal exports, paper pulp, and, more recently, the energy transition sector, including offshore wind logistics. ## Infrastructure & Facilities The port complex spans over 200 hectares of land and 150 hectares of water surfaces, divided into three distinct operational zones: ### La Pallice (Commercial Deep-Water Core) This is the primary engine for cargo throughput. It features: * **Tidal Basin (Bassin à Flot):** 27 hectares, maintained at a constant depth of **-12.50 m CD (Chart Datum)** via the *Écluse du Grand Large* (180m x 25m lock). * **Quay Length:** Over 3,000 linear meters of commercial berths. * **Key Terminals:** * *Cereal Terminal (Sica Atlantic / Soufflet):* 2 ship loaders (600 t/h), 150,000 t storage capacity (silos & flat stores). * *Paper Pulp Terminal (La Rochelle Terminal):* Dedicated covered storage (40,000 m²) and mobile harbor cranes for forest products from Scandinavia and South America. * *Ro-Ro / General Cargo:* Two berths with Linkspans for trailer and Mafi roll-trailer operations (Corsica Linea, Maritime Nantaise). * *Liquid Bulk:* Four dolphin berths (max LOA 200m, draft 11.5m) for chemicals, vegetable oils, and petroleum products operated by TotalEnergies and Vopak. ### Chef-de-Baie (Industrial & Heavy Lift) Located upstream on the La Pallice canal, this basin specializes in **heavy lift, project cargo, and wind energy components**. It offers 600m of quay with reinforced concrete decks rated for 25 t/m²+ ground bearing capacity. It hosts the *Paimpol* and *Saint-Brieuc* offshore wind farm pre-assembly zones and the *Alstom* (now GE Vernova) nacelle manufacturing logistics. The basin connects to the national rail network (SNCF Réseau) via a dedicated siding capable of handling 750m trains. ### Vieux Port & Port de Plaisance While primarily a marina (5,000 berths) and tourist hub, the Vieux Port retains a small commercial fishing fleet (30 vessels) and a shipyard zone (*Chantier Naval de La Rochelle*) capable of dry-docking vessels up to 3,000 DWT for repair and refit. **Digital & Rail Connectivity:** The port operates a **Port Community System (PCS)** integrated with the French Customs *Delta G* and *SOPRANO* systems for paperless clearance. Rail modal share targets 15% (currently ~10%), served by the *Ligne de La Rochelle-Ville à La Pallice* electrified spur. ## Economic Importance The Port of La Rochelle is the **leading French cereal export port** (by volume) and the **second-largest French port for paper pulp imports** after Rouen. It generates an estimated **€1.2 billion in annual added value** and supports **4,500 direct and induced jobs** across the Charente-Maritime basin. The hinterland extends deep into the Centre-Val de Loire and Nouvelle-Aquitaine regions via the A10 (L'Océane) and A837 motorways, and the high-speed LGV Atlantique rail line. Key industrial clusters reliant on the port include: * **Agri-food:** Cooperatives (Axereal, Terrena, Cavac) exporting 3–4 Mt/year of wheat, barley, and maize to North Africa (Algeria, Morocco) and the Middle East. * **Forest Products:** Importing 1.5 Mt/year of pulp for the French paper industry (e.g., *International Paper* sites). * **Energy Transition:** Emerging as a strategic hub for the **Atlantic offshore wind sector**. The port is the designated logistics base for the *Île d'Yeu / Noirmoutier* (496 MW) and *Île d'Oléron* (1 GW) wind farms, driving €100M+ in quay reinforcement investments (2023–2027). Environmental economics are central; the port operates a **modal shift subsidy scheme** (€5/tonne for rail/river) and invests in shore-side electricity (OPS) for Ro-Ro vessels to meet EU Fit-for-55 mandates. ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo La Rochelle operates a **short-sea and deep-sea trading model** characterized by high seasonality (cereal harvest July–October). ### Major Cargo Categories (Annual Average) | Cargo Type | Volume (Mt) | Direction | Key Commodities | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Dry Bulk** | 4.5 – 5.5 | Export | Wheat, Barley, Maize, Oilseeds, Fertilizers (Import) | | **Liquid Bulk** | 1.5 – 2.0 | Import/Export | Refined Petroleum, Chemicals, Vegetable Oils, Biodiesel | | **General Cargo** | 0.8 – 1.2 | Import | Paper Pulp (Kraft), Timber, Steel Coils, Project Cargo (Wind) | | **Ro-Ro / Ferry** | 0.3 – 0.5 | Bidirectional | Trailers, New Vehicles, Passenger Freight (Corsica) | ### Dominant Trade Lanes 1. **Maghreb & West Africa (Cereal Export):** The "Wheat Shuttle" route. Panamax/Supramax vessels load 55–65k DWT for Algeria (Arzew, Béjaïa), Morocco (Casablanca, Jorf Lasfar), and increasingly Senegal/Ivory Coast. Seasonal peak requires 24/7 loader operations. 2. **Northern Europe & Baltics (Pulp/Timber Import):** Regular liner services from Finland (Kotka, Hamina), Sweden (Gävle, Sundsvall), and Russia (historically St. Petersburg, now rerouted). Vessels typically 10–15k DWT geared bulkers. 3. **Mediterranean & Black Sea (Fertilizer/Agri-Import):** Inbound ammonia, urea, and phosphates from Egypt, Tunisia, and Turkey for regional blending plants. 4. **Transatlantic / Project Cargo:** Sporadic heavy-lift calls for wind turbine components (blades, towers, transition pieces) manufactured in Spain, Denmark, or China, utilizing the Chef-de-Baie heavy-lift pad. 5. **Corsica Ro-Ro:** Daily/Weekly frequency (seasonal) to Bastia, Ajaccio, and Propriano via *Corsica Linea* and *La Méridionale*, vital for territorial continuity. The port’s strategic roadmap *Horizon 2030* focuses on capturing **green hydrogen/ammonia import terminals** (leveraging the liquid bulk infrastructure) and consolidating its position as the **Atlantic reference port for offshore wind logistics**, leveraging its unique combination of deep water, heavy-lift quays, and industrial hinterland. For further regulatory details, consult the official Grand Port Maritime de La Rochelle↗ authority publications.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

FRLRH

Country

France

Province / Region

Charente-Maritime

Latitude

46.160329

Longitude

-1.151139

Timezone

Europe/Paris

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of La Rochelle?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of La Rochelle is FRLRH.

Where is Port of La Rochelle located?

The Port of La Rochelle is located in France, Charente-Maritime. Its coordinates are 46.1603°N, -1.1511°E.

What time zone is Port of La Rochelle in?

Port of La Rochelle 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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