UN/LOCODE: FRLTR📍 France

Port of Le Treport (UN/LOCODE FRLTR)

❖ Coordinates: 50.0592°N, 1.3825°E

❖ Time Zone: Europe/Paris

❖ UN/LOCODE: FRLTR

## About the Port Le Tréport (UN/LOCODE: **FRLTR**) is a modest coastal harbour situated on the eastern edge of the Alabaster Coast in the Seine‑Maritime department of Normandy, France. Positioned at latitude 50.05917° N and longitude 1.38247° E, the port overlooks the eastern English Channel, roughly 30 km west of Dieppe and 80 km northwest of Rouen. Its sheltered anchorage lies behind a natural chalk cliff formation, providing limited but functional protection from prevailing south‑westerly winds. Although the harbour handles only a fraction of the traffic seen at major French Channel ports, it remains a vital node for local fisheries, small‑scale cargo handling, and recreational marine activities, supporting the economic fabric of the surrounding communes. ## History The origins of Le Tréport’s harbour trace back to the medieval period when the settlement functioned as a fishing anchorage for herring and mackerel fleets operating in the Channel. By the 16th century, the port had acquired a small quay and a customs house, facilitating the export of salt‑preserved fish to inland markets and the import of wine and textiles from the British Isles. During the Napoleonic Wars, the harbour was fortified with a gun battery to deter British privateering, remnants of which can still be seen on the cliff‑top promenade. The 19th century witnessed the construction of a wooden pier and the introduction of a steam‑driven winch, improving loading efficiency for the burgeoning shellfish trade (particularly scallops and mussels). World War II brought significant disruption; the Germans fortified the cliffs as part of the Atlantic Wall, and the harbour suffered minor damage from Allied bombardments in 1944. Post‑war reconstruction focused on restoring the fishing fleet and adding a modest breakwater to increase berth safety. In the late 20th century, the port diversified into leisure boating, capitalising on the region’s growing tourism sector, while maintaining its traditional fisheries and limited aggregate traffic. ## Infrastructure & Facilities Despite its modest size, Le Tréport offers a range of facilities tailored to its primary users: - **Berths and Quayage**: The inner harbour provides approximately 250 m of quay length alongside a depth of 5.0–6.0 m at chart datum, suitable for vessels up to 80 m LOA and a draft of 4.5 m. A tidal sill limits access to vessels with a draft greater than 4.2 m at low tide. - **Breakwater and Protection**: A rubble‑mound breakwater extending 120 m seaward shelters the basin from the predominant south‑west swell, reducing wave heights inside the harbour to under 0.5 m during moderate sea states. - **Handling Equipment**: A 5‑tonne mobile crane and a pair of fixed‑height davits support the loading/unloading of fish crates, palletised goods, and small containers. A slipway with a 12‑tonne capacity accommodates fishing vessels and pleasure craft for hull maintenance. - **Storage and Ancillary Services**: The port includes a 1,200 m² covered storage shed for fish processing, a refrigerated unit (0 °C to + 4 °C) for fresh catch, and a fuel bunker offering marine diesel and lubricants. Fresh water, electricity, and waste reception points are available at the quay. - **Administrative and Customs Facilities**: A small customs office operates under the Direction Générale des Douanes et Droits Indirects (DGDDI), providing clearance for both EU and non‑EU cargo. The harbourmaster’s office manages VTS (Vessel Traffic Services) coordination with the nearby Cross‑Channel Traffic Separation Scheme. - **Leisure Infrastructure**: A marina with 150 berths, equipped with electricity and water hookups, caters to visiting yachts; a promenade and funicular railway connect the port to the town centre, enhancing tourist access. ## Economic Importance Le Tréport’s economic contribution is anchored in three intertwined sectors: 1. **Fisheries and Aquaculture**: The port hosts a fleet of roughly 45 registered fishing vessels, predominantly trawlers and dredgers targeting scallops (*Pecten maximus*), mussels (*Mytilus edulis*), and flatfish. Annual landings average 2,200 tonnes of shellfish, generating an estimated €12 million in gross revenue for local processors and markets. The nearby *Côte d’Albâtre* aquaculture zone supplies additional mussel spat, reinforcing the port’s role in the regional seafood supply chain. 2. **Tourism and Recreation**: The picturesque cliffs, pebble beach, and historic funicular draw over 350,000 visitors annually. The marina’s occupancy rate averages 68 % during the summer months, translating into roughly €4 million in direct spending on mooring fees, hospitality, and marine services. Seasonal events such as the “Fête de la Mer” further boost ancillary revenues. 3. **Minor Cargo and Aggregates**: Though not a bulk‑handling hub, Le Tréport periodically receives shipments of construction aggregates (sand and gravel) destined for local public works, as well as timber pallets for small‑scale manufacturing. These movements account for under 5 % of total tonnage but provide valuable diversification for the port’s revenue base and help maintain quay utilization during off‑peak fishing periods. Collectively, these activities sustain approximately 220 full‑time equivalent jobs in the commune and support a network of ancillary businesses, including fish markets, gear suppliers, and maritime training centres. ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo Le Tréport’s maritime connections are primarily short‑sea and regional, reflecting its function as a feeder port for the Normandy coastal corridor: - **Cross‑Channel Feeder Services**: While no scheduled ferry operates directly from Le Tréport, occasional charter vessels and cargo freighters use the port as a stepping stone to the United Kingdom (notably Portsmouth and Poole) and to the Benelux region (Zeebrugge, Antwerp). These trips typically carry refrigerated fish containers, palletised goods, and project cargoes such as wind‑turbine components destined for offshore farms in the Channel. - **Cabotage Routes**: Regular coastal traffic links Le Tréport with nearby Norman ports—Dieppe, Fécamp, and Cherbourg—facilitating the transshipment of shellfish to processing centres in Rouen and the movement of aggregates from quarries in the Pays de Caux to local construction sites. - **Dominant Cargo Types**: - **Live and Fresh Shellfish** (scallops, mussels, oysters) – representing ~68 % of total tonnage, exported fresh to French wholesale markets (Rungis, Lorient) and to Belgian and Dutch buyers. - **Fish and Crustaceans** (cod, whiting, shrimp) – accounting for ~20 % of tonnage, largely destined for domestic consumption. - **Construction Aggregates** (sand, gravel) – ~8 % of tonnage, moved in bulk carriers of 500–800 dwt. - **General Cargo** (pallets, machinery parts, occasional project cargo) – the remaining ~4 %. The port’s tidal window (approximately 4 hours per tide cycle) necessitates careful voyage planning; most vessels schedule arrivals to coincide with high tide to maximise available depth. Pilotage is not compulsory for vessels under 500 GT, but the harbourmaster offers advisory services for larger or deep‑draft ships navigating the approach channel, which is bordered by submerged chalk ridges and requires a minimum clearance of 2.5 m at low tide. In summary, Le Tréport may lack the scale of France’s premier Channel hubs, yet its strategic location, functional facilities, and specialised focus on high‑value fisheries and regional short‑sea traffic render it an indispensable component of Normandy’s maritime ecosystem. Continued investment in resilient breakwater maintenance, upgraded cold‑storage capabilities, and digital customs processes will further enhance its competitiveness in the evolving short‑sea logistics market.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

FRLTR

Country

France

Province / Region

Seine-Maritime

Latitude

50.059170

Longitude

1.382472

Timezone

Europe/Paris

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Le Treport?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Le Treport is FRLTR.

Where is Port of Le Treport located?

The Port of Le Treport is located in France, Seine-Maritime. Its coordinates are 50.0592°N, 1.3825°E.

What time zone is Port of Le Treport in?

Port of Le Treport 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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