Reliable, economic and ecological river transport services

What is inland waterway transport?

The river mode involves moving goods by water using barges or specialized vessels. Used to transport large volumes over long distances, it is  particularly well suited to all types of goods: 

•  containers (20’, 40’, 45’Pallet Wide (PW), reefer, mobile crates), 
•  heavy and oversized packages, 
•  as well as liquid and solid bulk (construction industry loads, recyclable products, agroindustry, including grain, etc.)

It relies on port infrastructure and inland terminals to deliver goods as close as possible to consumption areas.  

This mode of transport stands out for its reliability, its capacity for bulk transport, and its low environmental impact, making it a solution particularly well-suited to today’s sustainable logistics challenges. 

Did you know? Every year, more than 22 million tons of cargo, including nearly 200,000 TEUs, transit along the Seine. This represents more than 50% of river traffic in France. 

HAROPA PORT’s river service

A strategic network along the Seine corridor  

HAROPA PORT provides a strategic inland waterway network connecting Le Havre to the Île-de-France region via Rouen:

Tangible benefits for shippers and carriers

•  a competitive solution: optimize costs by consolidating transported volumes, supported by:
  •  advantageous parking allowances 

  •  and favorable customs formalities, such as transfers between intermodal terminal facilities (ISTs).  

     

•  a sustainable solution:  
  •  up to 4 times less energy consumed than road transport 

  •  up to 5 times fewer CO₂ and other greenhouse gas emissions per ton transported

     

•  secure logistics:
  •  secure inland terminals 

  •  reduced risks associated with road transport (accidents, congestion, delays)

     

•  flexible logistics:
  •  guaranteed transit times
  •  inland terminals located near consumption areas for fast delivery

Innovative services available to transport operators

Inland waterway information service: the Seine in real time 

The EuRIS Portal platform allows boaters, inland waterway transport operators, and logistics partners to view the following information in real time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

•  the status of waterways (water levels, clearance under bridges, availability of structures, etc.),  
•  waiting times;
•  as well as navigation incidents and disruptions.  

An essential tool for planning and optimizing river routes!  

Connecting to water and electricity during a stopover

As part of the Borne&Eau® program, HAROPA PORT and Voies Navigables de France are equipping several quays along the Seine with water and electricity supply terminals, allowing cargo and river cruise ships to connect during their stopovers.

A service that helps to:

•  reduce emissions from auxiliary engines,
•  limit noise and odor pollution,
• and lower fuel consumption.

This program, supported by the European Union and the Île-de-France Region, is accelerating the energy transition in river transport.

By the end of 2026, 96 terminals for cargo ships and 36 terminals for river cruise ships will be in service.

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