Port of Calais


The Port of Calais is a port in Calais, northern France. The port is the fourth largest port in France and the largest for passenger traffic. It accounts for more than a third of economic activity in the town of Calais.

Background

The Port of Calais was the first cable ship port in Europe and is the fourth largest port in France and the largest for passenger traffic.
After the Treaty of Le Touquet was signed by France and the UK on 4 February 2003, juxtaposed controls were established in the port. Passengers travelling from the port to Dover, UK go through French exit checks as well as UK immigration entry checks before embarkation. UK Border Force officers have the power to arrest and detain individuals in the immigration control zone in the port. Customs checks remain unaffected by the Treaty. Therefore, on arrival in Dover, travellers might still be stopped by UK Border Force customs officers for a customs inspection.

Marine transport

, only two companies operate regular scheduled services to Calais - DFDS Seaways and P&O Ferries - both operating exclusively on the run between Calais and Dover from this harbour. There is the potential, however, that a third company could join the current duopoly between the two companies in the foreseeable future.

Traffic

Cargo traffic has tripled over the past two decades. In 2007 more than 41.5 million tonnes of traffic passed through Calais with some 11.52 million passengers, 1.4 million trucks and trailers, 2.249 million cars and 4,700 crossings a year. On average, ships sail from the port every 30 minutes. Most of the traffic in Calais comes from the Port of Dover.

Expansion

In 2015, A new 400 million euro project was underway at the port to create a breakwater protecting a pool of 700 metres long, thus allowing Calais to have the capability to handle vessels of all shapes and sizes, from the smallest private yachts to supersize cruise ships, like the Oasis-class cruise ships.

Access

Buses connect the port with Gare de Calais-Ville on the SNCF network. There are regular TER Nord-Pas-de-Calais trains through Hazebrouck to Lille Flandres, Calais-Fréthun, Boulogne, as well as along the coast via Gravelines to Dunkerque.
There are also direct TGV trains which run from Gare de Calais-Ville then via Calais-Fréthun to Lille-Europe and Paris Gare du Nord.