The Hindu Business Line : Port of Le Havre explores maritime traffic with India

THE Port of Le Havre Authority that runs the Port of Le Havre, one of Europe's fastest growing ports, is exploring the possibility of developing maritime traffic with India. A delegation from the port authority held discussions with industry associations and the maritime industry in Mumbai and Chennai.

According to Mr Bruno Le Gurun, Area Manager (Africa, South Asia, Near and Middle East, Mediterranean and Indian Ocean), Port of Le Havre Authority, the two-way maritime traffic between Indian ports and the Le Havre port is about 80,000 TEUs (twenty foot equivalent units) a year. He expects this to grow significantly in the coming years.

Products from India to Le Havre include textile and leather, and in the other direction, it is machinery, rubber and plastics, said Mr Gurun.

Le Havre, which handled around two million TEUs last year, is located at the entrance of the Seine estuary, and is the first port of call for vessels sailing to the European continent from North America or the Far East.

The port's geographical location enables customers to redistribute their cargo throughout Western Europe. The port handled 7,548 vessels in 2003, said Mr Gurun.

To meet the growing demand for container traffic, the port authority is adding 12 container berths along a quay stretching over 4 km, he said.