France seaport freight traffic: Brest
France seaport freight traffic: Brest stood at 2.69 million tonnes in 2025, according to SDES – Service des données et études statistiques (Ministère de la Transition écologique). It is one of the indicators in the Freight transport (annual) table (Value · Annual), with a complete series running from 2011 to 2025. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Freight transport (annual) table
| Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross tonnage by port | |||||||||||
| Brest | 2.69 | 2.69 | 2.66 | 2.58 | 2.63 | 2.57 | 2.63 | 2.87 | 2.14 | 2.73 | |
| Lorient | 2.46 | 2.52 | 2.38 | 2.72 | 2.62 | 2.48 | 2.68 | 2.49 | 2.26 | 2.18 |
Understanding france seaport freight traffic: Brest
Quantifying waterborne freight movement in million tonnes, this dataset captures the physical weight of maritime shipments processed across the docking facilities of the specific western coastal hub named in the row path. The scope encompasses all incoming and outgoing commercial cargo conveyed by ships, including dry bulks, liquid bulks, and general merchandise handled within the designated marine zone. This metric differs from broader regional logistics aggregates or national highway freight tallies by focusing strictly on maritime trade passing through the designated harbor basin. Ship stores, ballast water, and internal operational transfers of cargo between berths within the same harbor limits are omitted to prevent double counting.
Evaluating the series over time involves accounting for marine infrastructure maintenance schedules, regional industrial shifts, and international shipping lane realignments. Early statistical releases are subject to routine administrative revisions once final customs declarations and port authority manifests are fully processed. Analysts comparing these figures with inland transport data should note that maritime volumes often reflect different seasonal patterns and logistical constraints than rail or road networks. Year-on-year evaluations help filter out temporary weather-related disruptions at sea, providing a clearer view of underlying trade activity.
Frequently asked questions
- What types of cargo are captured in this seaport series?
- The measure includes all commercial goods, raw materials, and manufactured items loaded onto or unloaded from vessels at the specified harbor.
- Are domestic coastal shipments included alongside international trade?
- Yes, waterborne freight moving between domestic ports is counted alongside international maritime cargo handled at the facility.
- How do revisions affect early estimates of this tonnage?
- Initial figures are provisional and get adjusted as complete administrative manifests and verified customs data become available from port authorities.