ecological and energy transition : The chatière at Port 2000 in Le Havre : a new wetland already welcoming biodiversity

As part of the "chatière” construction works in Le Havre, HAROPA PORT is implementing a range of environmental measures in line with the Avoid, Reduce, Offset (ARO) approach. Among these measures, the creation of a 10.8-hectare wetland near port 2000 is already delivering encouraging results, with several bird species now settling in the area.

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Zone humide créée à proximité de Port 2000 _ Mesures ENV chatière - Enlarge image, modal window
©HAROPA PORT

The ARO approach: an integral commitment to the project 

Building port infrastructure requires environmental considerations to be integrated from the very earliest stages of project development. This is the principle behind the Avoid, Reduce, Offset (ARO) approach.

The ARO framework guides the actions undertaken by HAROPA PORT as part of the cat flap project, which aims to improve direct river access to port 2000. It translates into a series of concrete measures implemented both on land and at sea, in close collaboration with specialist environmental consultants. 

From a former sediment disposal site to a new natural area 

One of the measures implemented involved transforming a part of former sediment disposal cell located east of port 2000, which was used during the various phases of Port 2000’s construction. Temporarily deposited on the site, the materials were subsequently reused, notably to build the cat flap dyke.

Once the area had been cleared, HAROPA PORT launched a renaturation programme covering nearly 10.8 hectares. The site now hosts a wetland that includes a pond of approximately 2 hectares.

Vue aérienne sur une nouvelle zone humine de 10,8 ha créée à proximité de Port 2000 - Enlarge image, modal window
©HAROPA PORT

These observations represent only an initial stage of the monitoring process. Nevertheless, they demonstrate how newly created habitats can be rapidly colonised by wildlife when the right conditions are in place. 

Encouraging early results 

Ecological monitoring of the site has been entrusted to a specialised environmental consultancy.

The first surveys conducted in 2026 have already recorded the presence of several bird species, including:

  • ducks, notably the common shelduck, the largest species observed on the site;
  • pied avocets;
  • common gulls, considered relatively rare breeding birds in france;
  • the natterjack toad, which has already colonised the newly created aquatic habitats. 

These observations represent only an initial stage of the monitoring process. Nevertheless, they demonstrate how newly created habitats can be rapidly colonised by wildlife when the right conditions are in place. 

An environmental strategy implemented across the entire project 

 The creation of this wetland forms part of a broader package of environmental measures implemented throughout the project.

Several initiatives were launched during the preparatory phase of the works, including:

  • the installation of buoys equipped with hydrophones to monitor underwater noise levels and help protect marine mammals;
  • the preservation of sea kale (crambe maritima) through seed collection and the relocation of plants located within the construction footprint.

Together, these measures reflect HAROPA PORT’s commitment to balancing infrastructure development with the preservation and enhancement of local ecosystems.