Paris

Size limits

Draught 3.5m, beam 15.5m.

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

The rise and fall in levels of water within the River Seine is complicated. There is a double HW at Springs below Duclair. At Neap tides these two HWs merge and are indefinable.

As the river is ascended, the importance of the first HW lessens. At Rouen there is only one HW but the rise in tide is rapid in the first hour after LW. Above Caudebec, LWNs are lower than LWSs.

During periods of severe drought, or certain meteorological conditions, the water level in the river may be lowered by as much 0.8m.

There are tidal guages at some places along the river, some of these being lit at night.

The Radar Station at Honfleur broadcasts tidal information at the Honfleur Harbour entrance on request from 2 hours before to 3 hours after HW at LeHavre. The tide guages and broadcast information are based on the Le Havre Chart Datum.

Vessels are advised to consult the Pilot for further details on height of tide in the channel.

Current rates in the river will vary according to tidal stage, meteorological conditions and the distance up river.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

Seaward, the main port area in Paris is approached from Rouen, a distance of approximately 133nm. The river is used mainly by pusher-barge convoys and smaller vessels specially designed for river use. The dimensions of vessels are limited by the size and depth of locks and bridges along the river. (See section on Restrictions)

Traffic schemes and VTS

There is no radar service in the Seine Fluviale.

Restrictions

Locks: There are eight locks between Poses (Km 202) and Paris, with a usable length of 180m and a usable width of 15.5m. These locks operate from 0700 to 1800 (0630 to 1930 in summer months).

Depending on place to be reached: Draught 3.5-2.8m, airdraught 8.75-5.25m, beam 15.5-11.4m.

Overhead power cables cross the channel.

On the way to the Paris there many overhead power cables including those at Km 336, Km331, Km 298, Km 274 and Km 262. Bridges span the channel at Km353, Km338 and Km309. The minimum vertical clearance of all these obstructions is 49m.

Above Rouen, night navigation is only possible on request to river navigation authorities (locks "regulation") via agents.

During the summer months the locks operate from 0700 to 1900hrs. A red and green "Traffic Lights" system is employed.

Speed limit: in the river is 5.5kts.

Depths along the river are subject to variation for a number of reasons. The largest depth variations occur in the fairway between Honfleur and Tancarville. The variation in this stretch may be as much as 0.3m per week and soundings are taken daily. Dredging is carried out on a continuous basis. The maximum permissible length for vessels sailing to Rouen, Port-Jerome, and Poste Miroline (Km 353) is 280m. However, further restrictions may be imposed at night or on certain tides. The maximum draft authorized for Chenal de Rouen varies on a daily basis and is closely related to the height of tide available.

The La Seine Pilotage Service publishes a forecast of maximum drafts for the channel monthly. The information refers to salt water drafts for the upriver passage and fresh water drafts for downriver. The maximum drafts given assume normal meteorological conditions. The published drafts may be increased or decreased at the stage of a vessel's arrival or departure if the water level differs considerably from that predicted. Draft restrictions may be imposed for certain areas. Further restrictions may also be imposed, particularly at night, depending on the vessel's handling and any deficiency of the radio or radar equipment.

Gennevilliers: An island port located approx 5nm NW of the centre of Paris, on the Left Bank or the river. Used by vessels continuing upriver from the sea, with a draught of approx 3.5m and avoiding the necessity of transhipment at Rouen. The max size of vessel using this port is 120m length, 15.5m beam, 3.5m. draught and 7.7m air draught (based on vessel carrying up to 3,000t of cargo). There are six basins dredged to a depth of 4.7m (entrance 75m wide, depth 3.2m).

Tugs

Available. There is no official tug service on the River Seine, but in case of breakdown, local tugs may be hired.

Charts and publications

BA 2880. Admiralty Pilot NP27, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notify Rouen pilot station of ETA 12 hours prior to arrival with confirmation 4 hours before arrival.

Communications

Vessels arriving in the Seine Estuary are automatically registered by the Port of Rouen Information Centre whose data is accessible to agents. Any special messages to inland agents or receivers should be made by radio telephone direct or via Rouen agents, or by (Ch 16 and 73) to Rouen agents when in "Seine Maritime". Pilot can always help Masters to send these messages via Rouen Port Station (Ch 73). Normal communications to be sent via local coastal radio telephone station (Rouen Radio, Ch 27). In the "Seine Fluviale" all locks have VHF and telephone by which messages can be relayed in case of accident, breakdown or delays. Pilot notifies inland agents by telephone of such incidents.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered in accordance with the Charter Party.

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

Repairs

Available. The main repair yards are: Chantiers Navals d'Acheres and Chantiers Navals de la Haute-Seine.

Dry docks

There are slips available in the ship yards; 1 x 1,100t synchrolift in Acheres (73m x 13m platform).

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at most quays.

Bunkering: barges for fuel and water.

Medical

Paris has various hospitals.

Transport

Nearest airport: Orly (5km) and Roissy (49km) (Paris airports).

Airport facilities: Complete services at Paris airports.

Nearest railway: Local stations at 1km or 4km, depending on location; Paris main stations at a max of 70km.

Working hours

Normally 0800-1200hrs and 1300-1700hrs.

Where it is

The port of Paris is situated on the River Seine between 230km and 480km from the sea.

The port

Once entering the Estuary, vessels make passage for Paris, up the River Seine, from the sea port of Rouen. The area from the Seine Estuary to Rouen is known as "Seine Maritime" and the part along the River Seine from Rouen up to Paris is called "Seine Fluviale".

The port area of Paris has formed an economic alliance with Le Havre and Rouen called "HAROPA". Vessels are generally berthed at the premises of the company receiving or sending goods, these premises being either private or rented from the port of Paris Authority (HAROPA). Handling is normally carried out by such companies using their own staff and materials.

Port of Paris area covers over 800ha of publicly owned riverside land and over 30km of quays used for storage and distribution.

Principal port areas for the Port of Paris, dealing with maritime trade, include the locations of Bonnieres, Mantes, Limay, Nanterre, Gennevilliers, Saint-Ouen, Evry and Montereau with cargoes mainly transported using large commercial barges and pusher tugs. However, many berths are attainable by smaller seagoing vessels. Container traffic for the area has increased tenfold in ten years to over 350,000TEU per annum.

The Port area of Gennevilliers is the largest port in the Isle de France and largest French river port. It is an important delivery system for non-perishable freight and building materials, with many cement and aggregate companies having waterside facilities to cater for a rapid expansion in the building of property in the City area.

Depth of water all year round is a minimum of 3.5m up to Paris-Gennevilliers.

Limay to West of the City is a purpose built dock area connected to the main A13 road and main railway network. Other river port areas are being developed and will increase in size with the completion of new canal projects.

(See Port of Rouen for additional information for vessels on the River Seine).

Traffic

Approx 28,000,000t of cargo and 8,000,000 passengers handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Paris?

1. Seine Aval (downstream): An area bounded by a line extending from the W extremity of the S breakwater at Le Havre to LH11 Lighted Buoy (49°29.6'N., 0°02.2'E.), then SW toward RP Lighted Buoy (49°28.6'N., 0°01.2'W.) to latitude 49°29'N, then W to the meridian of the LHA Lanby (0°10'W.), then S…

What time zone is Paris in?

Local time at Paris 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 Paris?

The deepest berth listed is at Cemex (Gennevilliers): 3.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Paris?

1000.

Which load line zone is Paris 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 Paris?

Port State Control at Paris: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Paris?

The UN/LOCODE of Paris is FRPAR.

What crews who called at Paris 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.

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