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This guide is for any company or business that wants to ship from the USA to any port in France. Working with a reliable freight forwarder can ensure a seamless transition. From providing competitive rates to offering a customized solution to fit the customer’s requirements, experienced freight forwarders can facilitate any size shipment, from a small package to a full container.
France Major Imports and Exports
France is a significant exporter, providing various products and services to the global market.
Its primary exports are aircraft, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, plastics, chemicals, electronics, and agricultural products. It also exports wine and spirits, luxury goods, and industrial machinery.
Meanwhile, France imports a wide range of consumer goods, including electronic products, clothing, and footwear. France is a significant player in the global market, with a competitive edge in producing and exporting luxury goods, advanced technology, and agricultural products.
In December 2020, the CEIC Data reported that France had 5,100,000 TEU. This figure is a slight decrease from the December 2019 record, which is at 5,800,000 TEU. A potential reason is the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
France Port List: Biggest, Busiest, Major Ports
When it comes to maritime transport, France is no small player. The country is situated on the coast of the European continent and is bordered by the English Channel, the North Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. It has an expansive coastline and a number of prominent ports, making it an important hub for the maritime industry.
The following are the biggest ports in France. They are listed here because they are considered the busiest ports in the country, especially in the number of shipment arrivals, cargo capacity, and vessel traffic.
- Port of Marseilles
- Nice Cruise Port
- Port of Calais
- Port of Toulon
- Port of Caen
- Port of Fos
- Port of Dieppe
- Port of Roscoff
- Port of Dunkirk
- St. Malo Port
These are also the major ports where Chinese shipments usually land. Learn more about these France shipping ports from China for seamless imports or exports of products from France to China and vice-versa.
Port of Marseilles
Image Source: WhatsInPort
- Port code – FRFOS
- Port size – 400 hectares
- Port addresses – Northern Marseille and Fos-sur-Mer (northwest of Marseille)
- Main cargo/vessel type – Bulk, containers, tankers, gas, cargo
- TEUs – 1,400,000
The Marseille Fos Port, located in Southern France, is a major European port. It is the largest port in France by cargo tonnage and one of the biggest ports in the Mediterranean region.
Marseille harbor is a major hub for transportation and commercial trade. This port links between the European continent, Africa, and the Middle East, providing passage for goods and passengers. Meanwhile, its distance from China is around 10,000 nautical miles.
The local port of Marseilles was the Old Port of Marseille. Eventually, it was discarded due to its inability to handle extensive maritime traffic. In 1844, the government decided to construct another port in the northern portion of Old Port, which became the cruise port Marseille.
Read on to learn more about the Port of Marseilles.
Nice Port
Image Source: Riviera Ports
- Port code – FRNCE
- Port size – Around 10 to 20 hectares
- Port addresses – CCI Nice Côte d’Azur, Port de Nice – Service Plaisance 2 Quai d’Entrecasteaux – 06300 Nice
- Main cargo/vessel type – Fishing, recreational vessels, cruise ships, tankers
- TEUs – Around 100,000 to 500,000 TEUs annually
Nice Port is a harbor located in the French Riviera city of Nice. It is a significantly large port on the Mediterranean coast of France and is considered one of the most important ports in the country.
Currently, it has at least a thousand vessels. Le Port Nice has dozens of ferry routes, as well, connecting Nice to other cities in France, Italy, and beyond. Its distance from China is 9,900 nautical miles.
The Old Port Nice was built in the 18th century as a seaside property for the Piedmont-Sardinia kingdom. Eventually, it was developed to become a port. After the Second World War, it became an integral part of the urban development of its city.
Read on to learn more about the Nice Port.
Port of Calais
Image Source: France Ferry Booker
- Port code – FRCQF
- Port size – 160 hectares
- Port addresses – Calais Ferry Port, Terminal E, Calais, 62100, France
- Main cargo/vessel type – Containers, cargo cruise ships, and passenger vessels
- TEUs – Around 100,000 to 500,000 TEUs annually
The Port of Calais is a major port located in the commune of Calais in northern France. It lies at the entrance of the Strait of Dover, providing access to the English Channel and connecting France to the UK. Meanwhile, its distance from China is 14,400 nautical miles.
It is the fourth largest port in France and the largest when it comes to passenger traffic. The port boasts a wide range of cargo handling and storage facilities.
The port also provides a range of services to its clients, including customs clearance, warehousing, and fully integrated logistics. Historically, the Treaty of Le Touquet provided juxtaposed jurisdiction to the port. France and the United Kingdom have respective shares in developing the port as to what it is today.
Read on to learn more about the Port of Calais.
Port of Toulon
Image Source: WhatsInPort
- Port code – FRTLN
- Port size – 16.54 square miles
- Port addresses – Quai Cronstadt, 83000 Toulon, France
- Main cargo/vessel type – Pleasure craft, chemical and oil tanker, cargo vessels, military vessels
- TEUs – Around 300,000 to 600,000 TEUs annually
The Port of Toulon is a major French port located on the Mediterranean Sea and is one of the largest in the country. It is a multi-purpose port and is primarily used for container shipping, oil and gas, military, and general cargo.
The port is an important gateway to the south of France and is the main port of embarkation for the French Navy. It has excellent transport connections, with a nearby airport, railway station, and motorway network. The port is also the hub for ferry services to Corsica, Sardinia, and other Mediterranean destinations. Its distance from China is 9,900 nautical miles.
In 1815, Toulon became an integral part of the French military expeditions. Before it became a commercial and passenger vessel, it was a stronghold of the French naval fleet and the Allied naval forces.
Read on to learn more about the Port of Toulon.
Port of Caen
Image Source: France Ferry Booker
- Port code – FRCFR
- Port size – 100,000 square miles
- Port addresses – Quai Vendeuvre, 14000 Caen, France
- Main cargo/vessel type – Sailing vessels, cruise ships, ferry terminals
- TEUs – Around 100,000 to 200,000 TEUs
The port of Caen, Normandy, France, is one of the region’s oldest and most important ports. It serves as a hub for commercial, industrial, and leisure activities. It is located on the English Channel and the gateway to the European region.
It has been used by several major civilizations over its long history and has been a strategic port since Roman times. Today, it is a busy port with modern facilities, a wide range of services, and a convenient location near the major rail, road, and air links. The distance between this port to China is 7,990 nautical miles.
The port is well-equipped with several terminals and facilities, including a container terminal, cruise terminal, ferry terminal, and yacht marina.
Read on to learn more about the Port of Caen.
Port of Fos
Image Source: ViaMichelin
- Port code – FRFOS
- Port size – 9600 hectares
- Port addresses – 23 place de la Joliette, BP 81965, Marseille, Cedex 2 13226, France
- Main cargo/vessel type – Bulk, containers, tankers, gas, cargo
- TEUs – Around 1,000,000 TEUs
The Fos port in France is situated in the Gulf of Fos, near the historic and bustling cities of Marseille and Toulon. It has a deep-water harbor and is connected to the Mediterranean Sea, providing access to major trade routes throughout Europe.
ThIs is among the shipping ports in France for both cargo and passenger ships. It has three separate terminals and a range of services, including container handling, warehousing and storage, and transshipment.
The port is equipped with a wide range of modern equipment, including cranes and other handling equipment, modern loading and unloading systems, and a sophisticated IT infrastructure.
Read on to learn more about the Port of Fos.
Port of Dieppe
Image Source: France Ferry Booker
- Port code – FRDPE
- Port size – 9600 hectares
- Port addresses – Quai Gaston Lalitte, Dieppe, France
- Main cargo/vessel type – Sailing vessel, fishing vessel, trawler, general cargo
- TEUs – Around 1,000,000 TEUs
The Port of Dieppe in France is ideally situated on the English Channel, providing easy access to the UK, the Netherlands, and Northern Europe. It is a vibrant, modern port with modern infrastructure and excellent facilities. The port has a distance of 12,700 nautical miles from China.
It offers a complete range of services, including cargo handling, passenger and cruise handling, as well as a wide range of support services. It has an excellent connection to the French rail network, providing direct access to major ports in the region.
The port provides a range of services and solutions for a wide range of customers, including the oil and gas industry, the fishing industry, and the leisure industry.
Read on to learn more about the Port of Dieppe.
Port of Roscoff
Image Source: France Ferry Booker
- Port code – FRROS
- Port size -Unspecified
- Port addresses – Gare Maritime, Port de Bloscon, Roscoff, France.
- Main cargo/vessel type – Ferry and commercial vessels
- TEUs – Around 100,000 to 300,000 TEUs
The port of Roscoff in France is a well-known seaport in the Finistère department of Brittany. It is a hub for both commercial and leisure activities. Roscoff is well-known for its ferry services to the UK and Ireland and is also the departure point for many of the Brittany Ferries routes.
Its distance from China is about 9,000 nautical miles.
In addition to ferry services, the port also offers a wide range of shipping services, including container shipping and fishing amenities. In the past, the port location became a spot for skirmishes between France and England. Eventually, a port was constructed due to a demand for trade and transport.
Read on to learn more about the Port of Roscoff.
Port of Dunkirk
Image Source: Euro Breakdown
- Port code – FRDKK
- Port size – 7000 hectares
- Port addresses – 2505 Rte de l’Écluse Trystram, 59140 Dunkerque, France
- Main cargo/vessel type – Container ship, LNG tanker, general cargo, motor freighter, passenger ships
- TEUs – Around 700,000 TEUs
The Port of Dunkirk, located in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region in Northern France, is the third-ranking France seaport and one of the most important in Europe. Since its inception in the mid-1600s, the port has seen a steady rise in activity, eventually becoming a hub for freight and passenger ships. Meanwhile, its distance from China is 17,000 nautical miles.
Today, the port of Dunkirk is a center for trade and industry, with over 2 million tons of cargo passing through its gates every year. The port is home to many large commercial and industrial enterprises and is also home to a variety of recreational activities for tourists and locals alike.
Read on to learn more about the Port of Dunkirk.
St. Malo Port
Image Source: WhatsInPort
- Port code – FRSML
- Port size – 14.12 square miles
- Port addresses – Gare Maritime du Naye, St Malo, 35400, France
- Main cargo/vessel type – Sailing vessel, pleasure craft, general cargo, fishing, passenger’s vessel
- TEUs – Around 50,000 TEUs
The Port of St. Malo in France is one of the most important ports in the area. Located in northwestern France on the English Channel, St. Malo is a major maritime port for the region, handling a variety of goods and services. Shipping from this port in China requires traversing a distance of 9,000 nautical miles.
During the Second World War, the port was almost destroyed by German and American battles. It was rebuilt in 1960, where it served as a port city.
St. Malo is a well-established port that has been in operation for many years and is a key part of the French economy.
Read on to learn more about the St. Malo Port.
Conclusion
France is home to many of the world’s major ports and harbors. The country’s largest port is the Port of Marseille. Aside from these ports we mentioned here, France also has the colossal ports of Lyon, Deauville, Brest, La Pallice, and Trouveille-Sur-Mer. These ports are essential for the French economy, enabling the export and import of goods and services throughout the world.
Contact Zggship if you want to ship products and items from any of these ports in France.
