Almost 360 years old, Lorient is preparing a 360 degree turn! In any case, this is the subject of the “great port ambition” debated this Saturday, June 29, 2024, in Lorient Océans. “We claim to be a large port territory in Brittany, not the only one, but one of them,” says Fabrice Loher, mayor of Lorient and president of the Agglomeration. If this ambition is only in its infancy, a precise vision of the action and financing plans must be established by the end of 2024 by the Region, the Agglomeration, and the various stakeholders in the Lorient ports. A large project, still vague, which provisionally amounts to 300 million euros. But faced with numerous constraints, this great ambition is worthy of the greatest headaches.
Competitiveness, rising water levels, moving
The future of all port activities in Lorient is being called into question: the economy, training in maritime professions, equipment and new technologies. “These projects are colossal, enormous,” says Michaël Quernez, vice-president of the Brittany Region. How can we remain competitive with the economic changes to come? “In ten or fifteen years, agricultural models and therefore exports will be different, as will hydrocarbon imports, hence the importance of completely rethinking the ports,” explains Michaël Quernez.
Expand ports? Move them? “Are they in the right place? » asks Paul Tourret, director of the Higher Institute of Maritime Economics (Isemar). On the scale of the territory’s traffic and maritime activities, the 373 hectares of Lorient’s port area actually represent a small area. Little space on the quays, spaces that cannot be extended… Only one solution is possible for the moment: sharing the ports between activities. In the wake of the discussions, a subject that had until then been avoided emerged from the public, who had come to attend the conference: how can ports evolve without taking into account rising water levels? “The risk of submersion is a concern,” declares David Cabedoce, president of SAS commercial port of Lorient.
Developments in the next 10 years
“The opportunity for wind power was given to us, and the idea of a sea hub followed,” breathes Fabrice Loher. Diversifying is good, but you shouldn’t spread yourself too thin. These changes will see the light of day within ten years, but for the auctions to be rebuilt or the expansion of the base pontoons, we cannot wait that long! »
Maritime technology companies, or the Pennavel wind farm, are some of the players in the loop of the future of the ports of Lorient. The tone is set: in addition to fishing, commerce, construction, base, transport, pleasure boating and offshore racing, ports want to make room for marine energies and technologies.
