France seaport freight traffic: Nantes Saint-Nazaire
France seaport freight traffic: Nantes Saint-Nazaire stood at 26.22 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 2000 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 | |||||||||||
| Nantes Saint-Nazaire | 26.22 | 25.71 | 28.48 | 29.69 | 18.91 | 27.94 | 30.68 | 32.43 | 29.87 | 25.47 | |
| La Rochelle | 8.76 | 8.37 | 8.57 | 9.59 | 8.83 | 8.93 | 9.78 | 9.64 | 8.56 | 9.23 |
Understanding france seaport freight traffic: Nantes Saint-Nazaire
Recording the aggregate mass of maritime cargo handled along the Atlantic-Loire estuary terminal network, this indicator tracks all goods loaded and discharged across the multi-site western estuary complex. It separates this maritime basin from northern and southern counterparts, highlighting the specific trade profile of the western river-mouth geography. The metric encompasses varied cargo classes, including liquid fuels, agricultural commodities, and manufactured goods passing through the estuary's specialized docks.
Interpreting these annual statistics requires understanding the operational interplay between upriver facilities and coastal wharves within the same estuary. Analysts should rely on twelve-month comparisons to avoid seasonal agricultural harvest peaks or estuary navigation maintenance periods. When benchmarked against single-basin harbors, this multi-terminal estuary total reflects a broader mix of regional economic activities, ranging from food processing to aerospace logistics.
Frequently asked questions
- What geographic zone does this western estuary port cluster cover?
- The operations span multiple terminals situated along the Loire estuary, extending from ocean-facing docks up to inland river quays.
- Does this series include agricultural exports from the surrounding region?
- Yes, regional grain and food product shipments moving through the estuary terminal facilities contribute to the annual agricultural tonnage.
- How do tidal variations impact the freight statistics of this estuary?
- Tidal ranges influence vessel scheduling and maximum draft limits, which can affect the timing of heavy cargo movements across the year.