France seaport freight: Mediterranean seaboard
France seaport freight: Mediterranean seaboard stood at 17,929 thousand tonnes in Q1 2026, according to Eurostat – gross weight of goods handled in main ports, France, quarterly (mar_go_qm_fr). It is one of the indicators in the Seaport traffic (quarterly) table (Value · Quarterly), with a complete series running from Q1 1998 to Q1 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Seaport traffic (quarterly) table
| Indicator | Q1-2026 | Q4-2025 | Q3-2025 | Q2-2025 | Q1-2025 | Q4-2024 | Q3-2024 | Q2-2024 | Q1-2024 | Q4-2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean seaboard6 | 17,929 | 18,905 | 18,935 | 19,699 | 18,809 | 19,529 | 17,649 | 18,748 | 17,285 | 19,431 | |
| Marseille-Fos | 16,382 | 17,036 | 17,070 | 17,743 | 17,069 | 17,724 | 15,782 | 17,030 | 15,463 | 17,542 | |
| Sète | 1,019 | 1,201 | 1,188 | 1,290 | 1,203 | 1,241 | 1,227 | 1,117 | 1,220 | 1,199 |
Understanding france seaport freight: Mediterranean seaboard
This aggregate tracks the total gross weight of all commercial cargo handled across every seaport situated along the southern coastline facing the Mediterranean Sea. It encompasses massive industrial energy hubs, container terminals, liquid bulk refineries, and general cargo facilities. Unlike northern seaboard totals, this regional grouping captures trade flows oriented toward southern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and the Suez maritime corridor. The data includes all inward and outward movements of containerized units, crude oil, and dry bulk commodities.
Quarterly figures are subject to regional industrial maintenance schedules at petrochemical complexes and localized maritime labor actions that can sharply alter throughput. Initial statistical estimates frequently experience revisions as large industrial operators submit reconciled customs and manifest data. Comparing performance with the corresponding period of the previous year is the most reliable way to assess underlying trade trends without the distortion of seasonal refinery overhauls. Analysts must avoid treating this Mediterranean total as interchangeable with northern Atlantic seaboard data, given the distinct energy and industrial supply chains operating in the south.
Frequently asked questions
- Which geographic coastline is covered by this regional aggregate?
- It covers all commercial seaports located along the southern coastline facing the Mediterranean Sea.
- What major trade corridors and cargo types dominate this seaboard?
- Trade routes toward the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Suez Canal, heavily featuring liquid bulk and container traffic, dominate the volume.
- Why are year-on-year comparisons essential for this Mediterranean series?
- It removes the impact of scheduled petrochemical refinery maintenance and regional industrial holiday pauses that recur annually.