The shipping platform

Location: Toulon is situated on the S coast of France, 45nm ESE of Marseilles. General overview: The port has one of Europe's most beautiful natural harbours. Since 1481, Toulon has been of major Naval importance in the Western Mediterranean. Today the port acts as both a centre of commerce as well as a Naval base. It is more conveniently described as two separate ports, Toulon and the more recent Bregaillon. The ports handle all nature of trades, as well as aircraft carrier and submarine traffic. In Toulon are most of the country's naval forces (over 60% by tonnage), including the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and all nuclear submarines. The military port is divided into 4 main zones, each with its own Mediterranean Sea access. The main (Castigneau) zone has 2 main entrances - one located next to the civilian port, and one at the west entrance to downtown Toulon. Cruise ships to Toulon dock at 2 ports: Toulon (Port Marchand in downtown) and Port La Seyne-sur-Mer (to the southwest across the bay). La Seyne-sur-Mer is regarded French Mediterranean's most sheltered harbor port, being well protected in the winter from the Mistral wind. Mistral is a strong and cold northwestern wind blowing into the Gulf of Lion from southern France. Sustained winds (most common during winter and spring) often exceed speeds of 66 kph (41 mph), with the strongest winds (between seasons) reaching speeds of 456 kph (283 mph). Berths: -Corsica Quay: length: 184 m; depth: 8.2 m. -Minerve Quay: length: 165 m; depth: 7.4 m. -Quai Fournel: length: 345 m; depth: 7 m. ● La Seyne –Bregaillon: -Ro-Ro Berth: depth: 9.6 m. -Ore Quay (2 berths): length: 215 m; depth: 9.5 m. Traffic figures: Approx 1,200 vessels, 1,000,000t of cargo and up to 1,000,000 passengers move through the port annually. Load line zone: Summer. Max size: LOA 300m; draught 9.5m.