construction, development : River access to Port 2000: breakwater foundation works enter final phase

Foundation works: a key phase of the maritime project nearing completion

Started in mid-February 2026, the foundation works involve constructing the submerged base of the future lock access channel breakwater.

This foundation forms the structural base of the breakwater. It is made up of sand and gravel materials specifically suited to maritime conditions, part of which comes from the beneficial reuse of dredged materials from the future navigation channel. These materials are placed using a diffuser barge supplied through a floating pipeline connected to a vessel responsible for transporting them to the site.

Nearly 800,000 m³ of materials have been placed along the 1,800-metre-long breakwater, without any disruption to the port’s commercial traffic.

Did you know? The foundation works provide the base required for the installation of the Accropode™ units, the placement of which began at the end of April 2026.

The works are being carried out by Terélian and its consortium partner DEME, under the supervision of HAROPA PORT.

Close monitoring of the works

All operations have been subject to bathymetric monitoring. This regular assessment of seabed depths and geometry ensures the accurate placement of materials and, consequently, the proper construction of the structure.

Turbidity monitoring is conducted throughout every phase of the project. Managed by HAROPA PORT, with the support of I-SEA and HOZRO, this programme makes it possible to assess water quality, distinguish between natural phenomena and impacts related to the works, and take action whenever necessary.

The lock access channel project, with a total investment of €197 million, is financed as follows:

• €86.05 million by the Normandy Region,
  €23.6 million by the French State,
  €11 million by the European Union (through the Connecting Europe Facility),
  €76.35 million by HAROPA PORT.