By breaking through the 56 million-ton level in 2006, the Port of Dunkirk has both achieved its target and established a new traffic record.
The efforts pursued by the port for more than ten years, to increase productivity while offering a quality service, total reliability and an innovative organization, are bearing fruit.
The integrated management of the major terminals has demonstrated all its potential at the Western Bulk Terminal where traffic has doubled since the unified operator Seabulk took over in December 1999.
Such a performance will soon be confirmed for the Container Terminal with APMT being the new terminal operator.
More generally, the Port of Dunkerque is proactively increasing public investments (Euro 33 million in 2006) in partnership with private investments, the recent developments being :
*Opening of two deep-draught quayside berths at the Container Terminal capable of receiving the world’s largest container ships (draft : 16.50m).
*Development of the ro-ro facilities with the completion of a 4th ro-ro berth and rebuilding of the berth n°3 (double deck/double lane) to cope with the strong increase of the cross channel services (12 daily sailings to Dover; more than 500,000 trucks in 2006).
*Development of Dunkerque Logistique International logistical park, connected to the rail network (189 ha available, more than 100,000 sq.m of warehouses already built).
*Development of new facilities dedicated for minor bulk traffics.
*New cranes for steel products and general cargo.
*Extension of the port rail network (electrification of existing tracks, second rail connection to the West Port)
*Creation of a large LNG terminal (to be completed in 2011)
The Port of Dunkirk is ready for new challenges!
http://www.portdedunkerque.fr