POWERING PORTS | NEW BUILD
The year also saw cargo volumes and tourist cruise ship traffic increase, with more expansion planned.
Further growth ahead The 2025-2029 strategic project is part of a clear vision, based on seven ambitions that Dunkerque-Port has set
itself for 2050: ● A key port in the Northern Range, particularly in the container and ‘roll-on, roll-off’ (RoRo) sectors.
● A major digitalised logistics hub in Northern Europe, open to Eastern Europe.
● An internationally recognised area of industrial and commercial attractiveness
● A net-zero port, a hub for renewable energies ● A proactive port in terms of biodiversity and the preservation of natural resources
● An innovative, attractive and resilient economic and social model
● A safe, civic-minded port, open to its local area and bringing together local players.
Dunkirk said its planned expansion projects “reflect the port’s desire to support the region’s maritime and logistics growth in a sustainable manner”. Those projects in the immediate port area or its hinterland – several of which areas have a ‘Zone Grande
Industrie’ designation – include: ● The D’Artagnan project, to create a pipeline network and a terminal, operated by Dunkerque LNG, for reception, liquefaction, storage and export of CO₂. It is expected to come on stream between late 2028 and early 2029.
● New ‘gigafactories’ to manufacture batteries for electric vehicles. The first operational Gigafactory in the Dunkirk area and the third in the region was inaugurated in December. Mid-2026 is expected to see work begin on a gigafactory for Taiwanese group ProLogium, which specialises in solid-state batteries. In addition, Orano and XTC Energy are formalising a joint investment in the NEOMAT project, which aims
to gradually develop an industrial complex dedicated to battery materials.
● Plans for carbon nanotube production in the Dunkerque area by Korean group ENCHEM, which specialises in the production of electrolytic materials.
● A SUEZ Group project for an industrial site in the port area dedicated to the recycling and recovery of critical metals from electric batteries
● A CrystALRod project for a smelter to produce recycled aluminium wire, intended in particular for the manufacture of cables for electrical networks .
The Port of Dunkirk itself is launching a call for
expressions of interest for a 21 Ha site for the installation of a 400-700 MW data centre. It said, “This power is subject to a fast-track procedure, which has already been authorised by the Ministry for the Economy, Finance and industrial, energy and digital Sovereignty”.
Electrical demand rising None of these opportunities can be realised without a substantial increase in power supply. Increasing power demand comes not only from new developments but also from changed expectations in existing industries. For example, the port has begun construction of a second RoRo ferry berth. By 2028, both RoRo berths will be equipped with shore-side electrical connections. The port also reports strong growth in agri-food flows, a sector of excellence for the port, but one which requires chilled freight facilities and access to recharging of batteries. These new aspects of transport electrification raise
a key question: will the vessels and vehicles using the port eventually be all-electric? The port highlights its mobility infrastructure, which it describes as a ‘strategic lever’. Full electrification of the transport fleets moving
through the port are a gap in the port’s strategy – and could represent a huge additional increase in power demand, if HGVs and vessels as well as smaller vehicles move to full electrification.
www.neimagazine.com | April 2026 | 77
Gravelines is close to one of France’s largest ports, Dunkirk Source: Dunkerque Port
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