HAROPA Port has announced it will continue preparations for the embankment to protect and enhance river barge access to Port 2000.
This comes as the Administrative Court of Rouen rejected a request to halt work on the river access channel in Le Havre. In a decision announced on 29 March, the Administrative Court in Rouen denied the motion seeking to suspend the execution of the government’s official directive of 19 June 2023, authorising the commencement of work on the canal.
It stated that: “At the current stage in proceedings, none of the arguments put forward [by the applicants] is such as to justify serious doubts as to the legality of the contested order.
“Consequently, their conclusions arguing for suspension of the application of said order must be dismissed, without need for a ruling on the matter of urgency.”
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The construction consists of a 1,800-metre-long river channel covered by an embankment that would connect Port 2000 to the Seine basin, France’s largest employment and consumer catchment region.
The project is supported by the Normandy regional authority, which is investing €82.75 million; the central government, which is giving €23.60 million ($25.68 million); and the EU, which is contributing €11 million ($11.9 million).
Preparatory work on the embankment began earlier this year. Completion will take over two years.
Stéphane Raison, CEO and Chair of the Board of Management of HAROPA PORT, said: “I am delighted with this ruling by the Administrative Court in Rouen.
“It allows us to continue the work we have begun on the creation of a direct river access to Port 2000, subject to adherence to the commitments given to the national council for the protection of nature. It is excellent news for the Le Havre port community and all stakeholders along the Seine Axis.”
