Activity Is Buoyant in the Dock Basins and Dry Docks
In the course of September, a number of vessel movements punctuated activities in the dock basins of the Saint Nazaire port facility. Among the notable operations was the departure of the cruise liner World Asia for sea trials, before her return a few days later to the Quai de Penhoët quay.
Several vessel transfers also took place between the various quays and port infrastructures, notably those of the Emile Bertin and the Olympian, illustrating the intense logistical and industrial activity at the port facility. The month was also marked by the return of the famous three-master the Belem, which berthed at the Quai des Frégates quay ahead of her major maintenance turnaround in dry dock at Saint Nazaire, an operation scheduled to take place from 16th October until the end of March 2027. On this occasion, several component parts of this iconic 130-year-old vessel will undergo restoration work, notably the stern, the central section of the keelson and the floor plates.
Dry Docks Serving Major Projects
The dry docks also continue to play a central role in the Regional Community’s major industrial projects. Dry dock N° 3 is currently being used for the assembly of the future upstream gate of the Joubert sluice dock. This large-scale project involves assembling 46 blocks and 16 prefabricated metal tubes which, once welded together, will form the new structure. Around thirty blocks have already been assembled. The next stages will involve applying anti-corrosion protection before the gate is floated and then transferred to the Joubert sluice dock for its final installation.
Another remarkable work project on view at the Port is the building of protective structures for Fort Boyard. Since late 2025, the cutwater and the jetty structure have been under construction in Nantes ‒ Saint Nazaire Port’s dry dock N° 1. These imposing concrete and steel structures are designed to protect the historic monument from the forces of the sea whilst allowing vessels to come alongside. The project is being carried out on behalf of Charente Maritime Departmental Authority. Once completed, these structures will be towed to the site of their installation off Rochefort.