A Major Project for the Future Gets Underway!
Investing in the modernization of Port Authority assets to support the development of an entire industrial ecosystem. This is precisely what Nantes ‒ Saint Nazaire Port is doing through the work to upgrade the Joubert sluice lock in Saint Nazaire, and more specifically through the replacement of the upstream gate.
This operation is essential to ensuring the long-term viability of this port infrastructure in support of the decarbonization of the maritime and industrial sectors, both in terms of providing logistical support to the offshore wind power industry and in assisting the development of the shipbuilding industry, which is committed to low-carbon propulsion solutions.
The first components of the future upstream gate at the Joubert sluice dock have arrived, and work has begun on assembling those components in dry dock N° 3. This stage of the process marks the actual launch of one of the most significant modernization projects for Saint Nazaire’s port infrastructure in nearly 15 years.
Nantes ‒ Saint Nazaire Port is the contracting authority for the design-build works contract, for which the lead contractor is SAS Matière, a company specializing in the construction of steel structures, in a consortium with Charier GC for the civil engineering and road and utilities works, and Baudin Châteauneuf for the trolleys and control systems, supported by three project managers: Tractebel, D2M and EMI.
A Massive Project
The replacement of the upstream gate is a major piece of work, which is set to continue until 2029. Around forty factory-prefabricated metal sections will be gradually assembled in dry dock N° 3 to create this new gate, which will be 17 metres high, 11 metres wide and 56 metres long, and is due to be installed in May 2027. As the passage of traffic will be interrupted at the lock whilst the work is in progress, a temporary dual-carriageway bridge will be installed to provide access to businesses in the area from March 2027.
Preparations for this massive project were carried out in close coordination with industrial players in Saint Nazaire, including the Chantiers de l’Atlantique Shipyard, so as to minimize the impact on operations. Replacing the gate will also improve mobility by widening the traffic lane to allow heavy goods vehicles to pass. Two cycle lanes and a pavement on the harbour side will be created. The width of the bridge will be increased from its present 6.10 metres to 10.40 metres.
This 40-million-euro investment is being co-financed through the Central Government ‒ Regional Government Planning Agreement, to which the State, Pays de la Loire Regional Authority and Saint Nazaire Urban Area District Authority all contribute, and by the Just Transition Fund in partnership with the European Commission. It will ensure the long-term sustainability of strategic infrastructure for military activities, shipbuilding, ship repair and the marine renewable energy industry.