New multimodal terminal for Le Havre

The Le Havre Port Authority has approved the construction of a multimodal terminal project. With an investment of €140m (US$182m) and supported by combined transport operators, the terminal will comprise two river berths each 200 m long, four gantry cranes with the possibly a fifth depending on traffic levels, a rail loading yard with eight tracks, a storage area and electrified railway sidings to accommodate mainline trains.

Work is scheduled to commence in March 2011 with operations due to commence in the second half of 2013. Annual traffic of 200,000 intermodal transport units (ITU) is predicted on start-up and terminal capacity will be around 500,000 teu with the possibility of future expansion to 850,000 ITU

The terminal is in response to increasing pressure from shipping lines and logistics companies for competitive rail, barge and truck transport options in order to consolidate cargo flows and reduce delivery costs. The aim is to encourage modal shifting through investments to improve productivity and service.

According to deputy director of operations Christian Feuvre, the terminal will be a key component in improving multimodalism in the Seine corridor. “It will help develop consolidated rail and river traffic throughout the hinterland of Le Havre, including access to the Ile de France region, primarily for river freight but also for rail freight.
(Source:www.container-mag.com)