maritime : The Radicatel terminal mobilized for Ariane 6 logistics

On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the Radicatel terminal welcomed the Canopée for an exceptional operation related to the Ariane 6 program. Thanks to its facilities suited to handling heavy cargo, the site enabled the transfer of several launcher components between the vessel and a river barge.

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L'élément d'Ariane 6 déchargé grâce à la rampe ro-ro - Enlarge image, modal window
©HAROPA PORT / Jean-François Damois

A two-part handling operation for Ariane 6

The operation involved two heavy-cargo movements between the Canopée and the barge Obstiné.

Coming from Kourou, French Guiana, the Canopée arrived at Radicatel carrying several components of the Ariane 6 rocket. Unloaded using the terminal’s roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) ramp, the components were then loaded onto the barge for transport to the Ariane Group industrial site in Les Mureaux, in the Yvelines department.

At the same time, other components were transferred from the Obstiné to the Canopée before the vessel departed the terminal.

Carried out by Roll Manutention Services (Katoen Natie Group), these operations help ensure the continuity of Ariane 6 component flows between the industrial sites and French Guiana, where launches are prepared.

Radicatel: facilities suited to the operation

This port call highlights HAROPA PORT’s ability to support large-scale logistics operations and meet the needs of strategic industrial sectors, particularly the space industry.

It also marks the first ro-ro handling operation carried out at Radicatel since 2019.