PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Honfleur
Pilot
updated May 2010Compulsory for all vessels over 45m in length, ETA to be sent at least 5 hours before arrival at pilot station. The port lies within the pilotage district of La Seine Maritime and pilots board in position 49°28.7'N 000°02.4'W about 4.8nm WSW of Cap de la Heve Light.
Vessels must request pilot from La Seine or Honfleur Harbour Master at least 3 hours before departure.
Key data
updated Jul 2021Size limits
LOA 250m, beam 32.2m, draught 6.7m, 40,000DWT.
Water density
1000.
Load line zone
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
Mean spring range 6.5m; mean neap range 3.8m. A double HW occurs at Honfleur.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miroline Terminal | 6.70 m | 120 m | 1 |
| Aggregates Terminal | — | 94 m | 1 |
| Honfleur Teminals | — | 250 m | 3 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated May 2010Approach
The port is approached from Chenal du Rouen, at the E end of Digue du Ratier, and entered through a large lock in the middle of an entrance channel between two high jetties. A channel, 100m wide between two high jetties, leads to the entrance lock. A light (green pylon, 8m in height) is exhibited from the head of the W jetty and another light (pylon N cardinal, 8m in height) is exhibited from the head of the E jetty; Honfleur Radar stands close to the head of this latter jetty. The lock, which is about 40m long and 23m wide, permits passage of vessels of less than 36m in length. Vessels of more than 36m in length must wait for HW slack to enter with both gates open. The lock operates throughout 24 hours except when sluicing is taking place. Entrance takes place on the hour and the departure on the half hour.
Port limits
The port stretches from Rouen to La Bouille. The port limits include the waiting area in the roads located at approx 8-9nm from the entrance to the river.
Traffic schemes and VTS
Baie de Seine Reporting Area: All vessels over 50m bound for or from Siene estuary must report to Baie de Seine Traffic and maintain a listening watch whist in the reporting area, within a circle 22nm in radius centred on Cap de la Heve Lighthouse.
Radar Assistance: In poor visibility, and on request, Radar Honfleur will provide navigational information on VHF Ch 73.
The area of radar coverage extends to 20nm W of Radar Honfleur (49°25.7'N 000°14.1'E) up to Km 325 (Long 000°36.2'E).
Anchorages
An anchorage is available at La Carosse Roads where draught is approx 10m salt water at LW. The anchorage is exposed to NNW winds, the holding ground is good.
Restrictions
Inner Lock Times: The locks to the E and W basins are open by day from 1 hour before to 3 hours after HW and by night from 1 hour before to 1 hour after HW.
Box draught in docks = high tide -3.5m.
Tugs
Tugs are available from Le Havre if required.
Charts and publications
BA 2146, 2879. Admiralty Pilot NP27, NP286(1).
Reporting before arrival
updated May 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Masters must advise their arrival at La Carosse Roads to the Information Centre at the port of Rouen pilot station at least 5 hours before their arrival in the roads. Salt water arrival draught is also to be advised. Later, any anticipated delay or advance of more than one hour is to be reported at least 3 hours prior to arrival in the roads. Same stations can be used for communication with agents or other parties.
Communications
VHF: Rouen Port Control: Ch 16, 73, 68.
Honfleur Port: Ch 16, 17, 73. Tel: +33 2 31 14 61 09, Email: [email protected].
Locks & Bridges: Ch 16, 17.
Standard messages
Berthing pier name and bollard number given by radio when vessel approaches the port.
Notice of readiness
NOR to be passed according to instructions in the relevant Charter Party.
Health
Pratique is granted on request to agent when vessel alongside.
Customs and immigration
Customs: 4 quai Le Paulmier, 14600 Honfleur.
Immigration: Police Nationale, Rue Villey, 14600 Honfleur.
Flags
National flag to be flown aft. French flag to be flown on mast on starboard side.
Notices and regulations
Large vessels can enter and leave at HW and for those vessels able to pass through the lock at other times the gates are opened upon request.
East Dock: The same times as above, plus 15 minutes.
Carnot Dock: The bridge for this dock will be open only as per the informed opening hours and the other times upon request from the Capitainerie or from the Eclusier de Service between 0900-1600hrs.
The opening of bridges for commercial navigation and for all vessels not able to cross over or pass through the lock with open gates at high tide remains unchanged.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.
Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.
ISPS
Position: Head of Sea Defense.
Address: 22 Rue Monge, Paris, F-75005, France
Tel: +33 01 40 81 85 30
Fax: +33 01 40 81 70 53
Mob: +33 06 17 15 01 80
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Jul 2021Repairs
Available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available alongside.
Bunkering: Gas oil, fuel and diesel oil bunkers are available by road tanker.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Cattp (0.5km), Hospital Center De La Côte Fleurie (9.5km).
Crew change
Available.
Transport
Nearest airport: Deauville - Saint-Gatien Airport (10km).
Nearest train station: Havre Railway Station (12km).
Working hours
Normally 0700-1200hrs, 1400-1800hrs. Overtime available on request.
About Honfleur
updated May 2010Where it is
Honfleur is located on the S bank of the River Seine estuary, 10nm SE of the port of Le Havre.
The port
The port comprises river berths, a wet basin entered through a large lock in the entrance channel, leading to inner locks and wet basins. Bassin de Retenue, or Bassin de Chasses, at the root of the E jetty, holds water which is used to sluice the entrance channel. Sluicing does not take place when the entrance lock is in use. The port is subject to silting and frequent dredging takes place.
Cargo handling facilities are provided at the river berths, East Dock and Carnot Dock. The main cargoes handled are fuel, bulk fertiliser and wood. Fishing boats and yachts are also handled.
Questions about Honfleur
What are the pilot arrangements at Honfleur?
Compulsory for all vessels over 45m in length, ETA to be sent at least 5 hours before arrival at pilot station.
What time zone is Honfleur in?
Local time at Honfleur is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.
What is the maximum draft at Honfleur?
The deepest berth listed is at Miroline Terminal: 6.70 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Honfleur?
1000.
Which load line zone is Honfleur in?
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Who carries out Port State Control at Honfleur?
Port State Control at Honfleur: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Honfleur?
The UN/LOCODE of Honfleur is FRHON.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Honfleur say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.