A key player in distribution in the west of France
Thanks to its capacity to accommodate deep-draft oil tankers, as well as the quality of its infrastructure and specialised handling tools, the Port is working with two operators, Picoty and SDLP, to meet the refined product consumption requirements of a hinterland that is constantly growing.
As the only deep-water Port on the Atlantic seaboard, its oil wharf, a secure terminal, can accommodate ships of up to 150,000 tonnes displacement and a draught of up to 16 metres. Access to the sea is easy and protected by the islands of Ré and Oléron only 1 km from the coast.
These advantages make the Port of La Rochelle an important supplier of petrol, fuel oil and diesel, for a large part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, both for companies and for mass retail.
The two operators, Picoty and SDLP, major players in the distribution of petroleum products in western and central France, provide storage and specialised handling services, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The total storage capacity is 556,200 m3.
The refined products are transported via three pipelines, with unloading rates of up to 4,000 m3 per hour. These mainly buried pipelines ensure respect for the environment and a maximum level of safety.
In 2017, work was carried out on the oil wharf at a gross investment of Euro 5.5 million. The objective was to increase the capacity to accommodate ships at the East berth of 85,000 t displacement (from 55,000 t prior to the work), with the West berth retaining its characteristics of accommodating ships of up to 150,000 t displacement. This operation was thus likely to secure the supply of refined products in the harbour zone in the event of damage to one of the two berths, by improving their versatility thanks to increased receiving capacities.