Marine Forwarding

Port guide · UN/LOCODE FR SNR

St Nazaire, France

France · 47.28° N, 2.20° W

The World Port Index classes St Nazaire as a river port with tide gates reached from the Bay of Biscay. It records a channel depth of 12.5 m and a cargo pier depth of 7.9 m. Norfolk is 5,990 km away in a straight line.

5,990 km from Norfolk, Virginia, in a straight line.
Channel depth
12.5 m
Cargo pier depth
7.9 m
From Norfolk
5,990 kmGreat-circle distance
Nearest port guide
Nantes50 km away

Depths and vessel limits

Channel depth
12.5 m
Anchorage depth
18.6 m
Cargo pier depth
7.9 m
Oil terminal depth
7.9 m
Tidal range
4 m

As recorded in the World Port Index. Gauges run from 0 to 25 m. Confirm current depths and limits with the port before you fix a vessel.

Facilities on record

Arrival and entry

St Nazaire is listed as a first port of entry. Pilotage is compulsory.

First port of entry
Yes
Pilotage compulsory
Yes
Pilotage advisable
Yes
Tug assistance
Yes
Tug salvage
No
Arrival notice (ETA message) required
Yes
Shelter afforded
Excellent
Entrance restricted by tide
Yes
Entrance restricted by swell
No
Entrance restricted by ice
No

Cargo handling

The heaviest lift class recorded is 100 tons and over.

Wharves
Yes
Fixed cranes
Yes
Mobile cranes
Yes
Floating cranes
Yes
Lifts of 100 tons and over
Yes
Lifts of 50 to 100 tons
Yes
Lifts of 25 to 49 tons
Yes
Lifts up to 24 tons
Yes
Longshore labor
Yes

Services and supplies

Repair capability is rated major.

Repairs
Major
Dry dock
Medium
Electrical repair
Yes
Fuel oil
Yes
Diesel oil
Yes
Potable water
Yes
Provisions
Yes
Deck supplies
Yes
Engine supplies
Yes
Medical facilities
Yes
Dirty ballast disposal
Yes
Airport
Yes

US trade with France

US exports, 2025
$50.6BLed by aircraft and spacecraft
US imports, 2025
$68.1BLed by pharmaceutical products

Top goods, trade terms and port guides for France

Other ports in France

The nearest is Nantes, 50 km away in a straight line.

Sources

  • US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
  • Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
  • Distances are great-circle distances computed from World Port Index coordinates, not sailing distances.
  • Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.