In Lorient, the extension of the offshore racing center is taking shape

The Lorient-La Base site, dedicated to ocean racing, is cramped. Since the mid-2000s, however, it has never stopped growing. It’s not over. In order to consolidate the place of the city with six ports in the ocean race, Lorient Agglomération decided, in October 2023, to once again increase reception capacities. As part of a project management mission, the design of the project, whose delivery is scheduled for 2027, has just been entrusted to Egis Water and Maritime, an engineering company specializing, among other things, in “large maritime and river construction sites”, including the construction and development of ports. The company carries out 40% of its activities in France. In recent years, it has supported projects carried out by the Principality of Monaco or the Grand maritime port of Bordeaux.

On “financial innovation”

This new project to extend the offshore racing center at La Base plans to double the number of pontoons. These will be built at the level of the old K3 bunker (the one most advanced into the sea). This deployment must complement existing infrastructures while being part of “a global and coherent vision of the port’s activities”. The planned facilities should make it possible to accommodate the largest offshore racing boats, those of the Ultim class or the Imoca class, 17 of which are based in Lorient (and are competing in the Vendée Globe). The objective is also to better take into account the vessels built by the shipyards present on the site such as Grand Large Yachting or CDK Technologie.

The cost of the operation is estimated at €12 million (including €814,575 for the project management mission entrusted to Egis). In order to finance it, the agglomeration separated itself from its Glorieux, from the H2 but also from the restaurant La Base, in an operation described, in October 2024, as “financial innovation” by Fabrice Loher, president of the Lorient agglomeration. .

Last expansion opportunity

The leading European offshore racing hub, Lorient-La Base, represents €35 million in local economic benefits and 905 jobs in 2022 (Audélor data). To support the offshore racing stables, Lorient-La Base doubled its reception capacity in 2019 with, in addition to a 4,000 m² platform, the installation of 160 m of additional pontoons. Insufficient. “We are victims of our success,” noted Fabrice Loher in June 2022. A few months later, nine locations for the Class 40s were created. The expansion continues.

The new extension also provides for the installation of heavy pontoons. They will offer additional berthing space, particularly during nautical events or stopovers. Operational for several weeks, the Découverte au Péristyle pontoon, which almost acts as a seventh port, is also intended to accommodate scientific, heritage boats and rescue boats and should open up to boats from the French America’s Cup Challenge.

These future developments at La Base are considered essential so that the city maintains its rank and stays one step ahead of those who are suspicious of its dazzling success. “We make people envious,” assured Fabrice Loher in October 2024. The body of water located in front of the K3 is above all the last reserve that can be mobilized to extend the offshore racing center.