What is a dry port?

The dry port is a boat parking solution on land, outside their navigation period. There are several kinds of dry port:

• “On-ground” dry ports are intended for sailboats and to motorboats larger dimensions and some can accommodate catamarans or of trimarans, subject to having a material and of Adapted services.
• them Dry ports With racks: intended to accommodate motorboats of a limited size (up to ten meters in general)
• it Dry port (or advanced port): it concerns more specifically the transport of goods (transshipment of cargos, storage warehouses, customs service, etc.). Generally set back from larger seaports, dry ports save space at the seaport itself

Without modifying the existing maritime infrastructure, the dry port therefore makes it possible to preserve the coast. But this solution also allows the rehabilitation of port areas that are sometimes abandoned.

To provide the best service, the dry port must both be close to the body of water and have suitable handling equipment for launching in the best conditions of safety and as soon as possible.

Port Navy Service, the largest dry port in Europe

When Navy Service began its activity in 1989, there was not yet a marina in Port Saint Louis du Rhône. Just a large empty pool, deserted by industry. The then shareholders took the bet to create from scratch, on 13.5 ha, this dry port instead of a former sawmill. They wanted to capture the clientele of boaters from northern Europe who wanted to sail in the Mediterranean in the summer.

In 2018, with a clientele made up of foreign customers up to 35%, the filling rate has been at its maximum for several years… The availability of an industrial wasteland of 8.3 hectares near the existing dry port, then represents a unique opportunity. Port Navy Service acquires it and immediately continues with an investment of nearly 6 million euros. The extension of the port to 8.3 ha, will then make it possible to accommodate 600 additional boats and new businesses. By totaling 1650 seats, Port Navy Service has become on this occasion, the largest dry port "on the land" in Europe.