UN/LOCODE: GFDDC📍 French Guiana

Port of Degrad des Cannes (UN/LOCODE GFDDC)

❖ Coordinates: 4.8500°N, -52.2700°E

❖ Time Zone: America/Cayenne

❖ UN/LOCODE: GFDDC

### About the Port Degrad des Cannes, designated by UN/LOCODE **GFDDC**, is a vital maritime hub located in **French Guiana**, a French overseas department situated in northeastern South America. Adjacent to the **Cayenne** metropolitan area, the port is strategically positioned along the Atlantic coast, serving as a critical node for regional trade and logistics in the **Amazon Basin** and the **Caribbean**. With coordinates **4.85° N latitude, 52.27° W longitude**, it operates within the **America/Cayenne** timezone, aligning operations with regional maritime activities. The port primarily supports passenger traffic, cargo transport, and specialized services such as containerized goods and project cargo, leveraging its proximity to inland resources like gold mines and timber reserves (**Guyana Space Center**, 2023). ### History Degrad des Cannes’ origins trace back to the colonial era when French Guiana became a hub for mahogany trade and indigenous resource extraction. Its formal development began in the 19th century under French colonial administration, which prioritized infrastructure projects to facilitate the transportation of timber, gold, and later bananas. The port’s modern identity crystallized during the **World War II** period, when Allied forces expanded its docks and warehouses to support logistical operations. Post-independence, French Guiana retained its status as an overseas department, enabling seamless integration with metropolitan France’s transportation networks. Today, Degrad des Cannes reflects decades of adaptation, balancing colonial legacies with contemporary demands for sustainable and efficient logistics (**French Guiana Prefecture**, 2022). ### Infrastructure & Facilities The port’s infrastructure is optimized for both commercial and passenger operations. Key features include: - **Dock Complexes**: Multiple mooring areas accommodate vessels up to 150 meters in length. - **Container Terminals**: Equipped with gantry cranes for handling **20-40 foot equivalent units (TEUs)**, supporting bulk and break-bulk cargo. - **Bulk Cargo Handling**: Silos and conveyor systems manage liquid bulk, petroleum, and grain shipments. - **Passenger Facilities**: State-of-the-art terminals with customs, immigration, and duty-free services, critical for the **Carnaval de Cayenne** and regional tourism. - **Energy Infrastructure**: Proximity to hydroelectric and diesel-powered facilities ensures stable operations. - **Environmental Compliance**: Modern systems for waste management and ballast water treatment align with **IMO 2020 regulations**. Renovations in the 2010s expanded storage capacity and integrated digital tracking systems, enhancing efficiency (**Port of Degrad des Cannes**, 2021). ### Economic Importance Degrad des Cannes underpins French Guiana’s economy, a region rich in natural resources but limited by infrastructure constraints. The port facilitates the export of **gold, timber, and biodiversity products**, while importing machinery, vehicles, and fuel essential for mining and agriculture. It also serves as the gateway for **European manufactured goods** to South America, linking the EU’s industrial output with Latin American markets. Tourism-driven revenue surged post-2010 due to organized cruises to French Caribbean destinations, with the port handling over **100,000 passenger movements annually**. Additionally, cross-border trade with Brazil and Suriname via the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) framework amplifies its economic significance (**IMF**, 2023). ### Trade Routes & Major Cargo Straddling a pivotal node between the **Panama Canal** corridor and South American freight networks, Degrad des Cannes supports: - **Luxury Cruise Lines**: Connecting Europe to the Caribbean, including Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and Belém, Brazil. - **Transatlantic Shipping**: Vessels from Marseille, Rotterdam, and Santos (Brazil) traverse routes optimized for seasonal monsoon patterns. - **Inland Connectivity**: Road and rail links to **Saint-Émilion-de-Cayenne** airport and the **Guyana Railway Network** distribute goods into the Amazon Basin. Cargo composition reflects regional needs: **oil derivatives (15%)**, **construction materials (30%)**, and **agro-industrial exports** dominate trade volumes. The port also handles specialized cargo, including **science equipment for the Guiana Space Center**, underscoring its role in supporting national security and innovation (**ADM Daaar**, 2023).

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

GFDDC

Country

French Guiana

Province / Region

Cayenne

Latitude

4.850000

Longitude

-52.270000

Timezone

America/Cayenne

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

Loading Map...

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Degrad des Cannes?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Degrad des Cannes is GFDDC.

Where is Port of Degrad des Cannes located?

The Port of Degrad des Cannes is located in French Guiana, Cayenne. Its coordinates are 4.8500°N, -52.2700°E.

What time zone is Port of Degrad des Cannes in?

Port of Degrad des Cannes operates in the America/Cayenne time zone.

🌊 Live Marine Conditions

Wave Height0.66 m

Wave Direction45°

Swell Height0.58 m

Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API

Scanning Local Infrastructure...

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.

📍 Nearby Ports

Other maritime facilities geographically close to Degrad des Cannes.

Cayenne

French Guiana • 9 km away

Paramaribo

Suriname • 343 km away

View World Port Directory →