Dunkirk, a key player in the decarbonisation of transport circuits

As one of Western Europe’s major maritime and multimodal hubs, Dunkerque-Port and all its port stakeholders are actively working to decarbonise transport networks.

Carbon-free maritime transport

Getting to Zero

Dunkerque-Port is a member of the Global Maritime Forum’s ‘Getting to Zero’ coalition, which supports the deployment of commercially viable zero-emission ships by 2030.

ESI

Since 2014, Dunkerque-Port has participated in the IAPH’s ESI (Environmental Ship Index), offering financial incentives to the most environmentally-friendly ships based on their score.

cold ironing

In 2020, Dunkirk became the first European port to equip its container terminal with such a system. Container ships can now switch off their auxiliary engines for the duration of their quayside operations.

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Port services

Dunkerque-Port is a member of the Commission for the Decarbonisation of Port Services initiated by the Union Maritime et Commerciale (UMC), which promotes the implementation of green solutions for services to ships and goods.

West Indies ‘Green Corridor’

The Port of Dunkirk is an essential port of call for maritime trade between Europe and the West Indies. Since the end of 2024, CMA CGM container ships operating on this route have gradually been powered by biogas. This new low-carbon shipping route is part of the creation of the Antilles hub, a joint vision of the French government and the CMA CGM Group.

‘Cross-Channel ‘Green Corridor

In March 2023, Dunkerque-Port signed a memorandum of understanding with DFDS and the ports of Dover and Boulogne-Calais, with the aim of decarbonising the cross-Channel routes. The port’s aim is to put in place the necessary means to help deploy 100% electric ferries on the Dunkirk – Dover route by 2030.

Decarbonising our cross-Channel services is a key priority for DFDS. Our plan to invest €1 billion in fully electric ferries will make it possible, from 2030, to create a truly green cross-Channel corridor, including of course our Dunkirk – Dover service.

Gauvain HAULOT

Director of DFDS Channel Links | Member of the Dunkerque-Port Development Board

Low-carbon land transport

Dunkirk, France’s leading multimodal port, and its partners are working towards a gradual decarbonisation of land transport.

Road transport

Several Dunkirk road hauliers have committed to a strong carbon-neutral approach, resulting in the acquisition of trucks using low-carbon or transitional energies (LNG, B100, electric, etc.).

Rail transport

Dunkirk is France’s leading rail port, and almost all its terminals are connected to rail. In 2022, Dunkerque-Port invested €10.7 million in doubling the handling capacity of the container terminal’s rail-road transhipment centre (dry port). By the end of 2025, a piggyback terminal for the transhipment of trailers and swap bodies on rail wagons will be operational at the West Port.

waterway transport

Dunkirk is the leading waterway port in the Hauts-de-France region. By 2030, the opening of the Seine-Nord Europe Canal will intensify the modal shift towards waterway transport.