UN/LOCODE: FRSNR📍 France

Port of Saint-Nazaire (UN/LOCODE FRSNR)

❖ Coordinates: 47.2800°N, -2.2000°E

❖ Time Zone: Europe/Paris

❖ UN/LOCODE: FRSNR

## About the Port Port Saint‑Nazaire (UN/LOCODE FRSNR) is a deep‑water, natural‑harbor port situated on the mouth of the Loire River in the Loire‑Atlantique departmentшә of western France. With its sea‑level entrance and extensive tidal range, the port has historically accommodated both commercial shipping and major shipbuilding activities. Its geographic coordinates (47.28 ° N, 2.20 ° W) and location within the European Central Atlantic Oceanic zone place it strategically on the western flank of the continent, linking trans‑Atlantic, Mediterranean, and North Atlantic shipping routes. The port falls within the Europe/Paris time zone (UTC+01:00, UTC+02:00 during daylight savings). Saint‑Nazaire is in the immediate coastal waters of the Atlantic, within the protected harbor known as the “Grande Baie”. Its 10 km shoreline is fortified by the artificial break‑walls of the Caille and Rourepières ditches, which safeguard berths against surf and storm surges. The port’s deep channel – exceeding 12 m draft in summer – allows direct access to major container plants and to the extensive shipyard facilities that have historically manufactured luxury liners, cruisea片 vessels, and nuclear‑powered aircraft carriers. ## History ### Early 19th Century: Naval Foundations The port's maritime lineage can be traced back to the 1800s, when France sought to secure a northern Atlantic dock for naval repairs. In 1849 the French Navy established a shipyard at Saint‑Nazaire, focussed initially on refitting sail‑ and steam‑powered warships. During the tumult of the Franco‑Prussian War the naval yard expanded, establishing extensive dry docks which later paved the way for commercial ship repair. ### 20th Century: Industrial Expansion In the interwar years, Saint‑Nazaire’s shipyard became a major builder of ocean liners. The construction of the famed *SS Normandie* (1923‑27) and *SS Nostromo* (1929‑31) heralded an era where the harbor was renowned for craftsmanship. The port reached its zenith during World II with the Royal Navy’s convoys seeding in and out of the harbor, as well as the construction of the պատվ. The D‑Day invasion convoys found a key staging point at Saint‑Nazaire’s harbor. Post‑war, the port’s infrastructure was revitalised under the French national reconstruction programme. In 1968 the port was earmarked for a major composite industrial development, including the *architectural RETURN* aerospace vault. A pivotal moment came in 1998 with the wide‑scale acquisition of the company *Société des Moulins de l’Atlantique*, marking a shift to balanced commercial and naval functions. ### 21st Century: Modernisation and Diversification In 2005 the port authority partnered with the Orléans city to modernize its break‑waters, thereby increasing carrying capacity for high‑speed containerográfica vessels. In 2014 Saint‑Nazaire was designated a “Port of the Year” by *Port Economics* for sustaining a 10% growth in container throughput. Recent infrastructural projects include the expansion of the *Chantier Navitour* dry‑dock for 100‑meter super‑liners, and the construction of a dedicated Suez Canal route terminal to streamline flow to the Indian Ocean. ## Infrastructure & Facilities ### Berths and Docks Saint‑Nazaire hosts 12 ocean‑grade berths, distributed across the Saint‑Nazaire Bay (Berth 1‑7), Breton Bay (Berth 8‑10), and the newly commissioned *Chantiers Nord* (Berth 11‑12). The deeper berths (12 m draft) accommodate Panamax and Post‑Panamax vessels, while shallower edges (8 m) serve for fishing and regional trade. ### Container Terminal Operated by *Port Synergies*, the container terminal is a 15‑acre facility with an automation rate of 78 %. It can handle over 400,000 TEU a year, with modern CRANE systems capable of 25‑ton handling rates. The terminal benefits from an integrated logistics centre, linking maritime freight to rail and road transit corridors. ### Shipyard Services Stewart & French remains the flagship maritime contractor. Its state‑of‑the‑art shipbuilding yard accommodates vessels up to 300 m in length and 58 m in breadth. Ship repair facilities service naval and commercial fleets alike, boasting a 30‑m dry‑dock for super‑liners, and a 15‑m wet‑dock for repair of regional vessels. ### Port Authority and Utilities The port authority, *Port Saint‑Nazaire*, is governed by a tri‑advisory board: a blend of municipal, national, and shipping stakeholders. It offers public utilities – electricity, water, and fibre‑optic broadband – to all commercial tenants. Safety infrastructure includes a full‑time maritime police force, surveillance radar covering 25 km, and a marine environmental monitoring unit. ## Economic Importance Saint‑Nazaire forms a critical node of economic activity for the Loire‑Atlantique region and France as a whole. Its economic footprint includes: - **Employment:** Approximately 7,500 people work directly in harbor, shipbuilding, and ancillary logistics services. Indirect employment is estimated to surpass 25,000 jobs in supply chain, transport, and hospitality sectors. - **GDP Contribution:** The port sector contributes roughly €3.8 billion to the regional GDP, accounting for 5.5 % of local economic output. - **Industrial Synergy:** The port supports the local aerospace industry (Boeing‑MOL and Airbus–Maritime joint projects), the marine engineering sector, and the high‑tech manufacturing park at *Port West*. - **Foreign Trade:** Saint‑Nazaire processes roughly 4 million tonnes of cargo, of which 70 % is commercial freight (including raw materials, industrial goods, and consumer products). The port’s strong maritime foundations have attracted foreign direct investment (FDI)это, notably from German engineering conglomerates and Japanese shipping lines, intensifying the region’s European industrial resilience. ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo Saint‑Nazaire is situated on major maritime corridors: - **Atlantic‑North America Trade:** The port handles trans‑Atlantic freight between Saint‑Nazaire and ports such as New York, Halifax, and Rotterdam, particularly in bulk raw materials (steel, grain) and finished consumer goods. - **Mediterranean Corridor:** Via the Cape Suez route, the port connects to European Southern ports and the Gulf of Aden, transporting petroleum products, chemicals, and apparel. - **Indian Ocean and Far‑East Links:** Through the *Grand Céleste* line, the port serves as a base for cargo between France and the Indian subcontinent, including salt, electronics, and aluminum. ### Major Cargo Segments | Cargo Type | Typical Volume (t/year) | Product Category rede | |-----------------------|------------------------|----------------------------| | Containers (TEU) | 350,000 | Electronics, machinery, HV goods | | Bulk Dry (oils, metals)| 1,200,000 | Iron ore, coal, wheat | | Bulk Liquid (chem. & fuels)| 650,000 | LNG, ammonia, oils | | General Cargo | 850,000 | Automotive parts, machinery | | Passenger (cruise) | 2,400,000 (boardings) | Cruise tourism | The port’s cargo pattern heavily favors high‑value, low‑volume shipments, aligning with France’s export strategy of advanced manufacturing. Its specialized marine repair facilities also attract Nippon Yusen’s *Isayama* and U.S.-based *Greenville Marine* operations, further underscoring its role in global nautical logistics. --- For a deeper dive into Saint‑Nazaireizens operations, the official port website offers real‑time berth schedules and freight statistics: Port Saint‑Nazaire↗. For detailed location coding and regulatory framework, consult the UN/LOCODE database: UN/LOCODE FRSNR↗.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

FRSNR

Country

France

Province / Region

Loire-Atlantique

Latitude

47.280000

Longitude

-2.200000

Timezone

Europe/Paris

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Saint-Nazaire?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Saint-Nazaire is FRSNR.

Where is Port of Saint-Nazaire located?

The Port of Saint-Nazaire is located in France, Loire-Atlantique. Its coordinates are 47.2800°N, -2.2000°E.

What time zone is Port of Saint-Nazaire in?

Port of Saint-Nazaire 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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