HAROPA Le Havre France Leading with Private 5G for Smarter Port Operations

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HAROPA PORT is one of the most important maritime and river hubs in Europe, bringing together the ports of Le Havre, Rouen and Paris into a single authority that anchors the Seine Axis. Ranked as the fourth largest North European port complex, HAROPA connects with nearly 700 ports worldwide and serves the vast hinterland of the Seine Valley and the Paris region. This combined area represents France’s biggest consumer catchment zone and supports logistics facilities covering more than 2.5 million square metres, with further space ready to be developed. Each year, HAROPA generates close to 110 million tonnes of maritime and river traffic, sustaining around 160,000 jobs while positioning itself as a critical player in sustainable and decarbonised transport.

At the heart of this network sits Le Havre, the leading French container port and a focal point of HAROPA’s innovation drive. Le Havre is not only a gateway for the largest container vessels but also a testbed for new digital technologies. Through the Le Havre Intelligent Port City programme, the port has embraced advanced solutions to reimagine operations. The initiative has seen HAROPA work with Siemens, EDF and Nokia to establish the 5G Lab, a collaborative platform for experimenting with private mobile networks. Since its launch, the 5G Lab has demonstrated how next generation connectivity can transform maritime services, logistics platforms and industrial workflows.

The 5G Lab began operating on trial licences in both the 2.6 GHz and 26 GHz spectrum bands, running a 5G Standalone core provided by Nokia. Initial deployments spanned the Phare de la Hève lighthouse, the Port 2000 western extension and quay areas, creating reliable coverage across more than 80 hectares. These trials focused on high-speed, low latency links between shore and vessels as well as critical infrastructure within the port environment. Use cases included the transmission of high definition sonar and sensor data from dredging vessels to enable dynamic monitoring, and the use of real-time alerts for towage and pilot operations in the Seine estuary. Drone inspections of cranes and breakwaters also benefited from uninterrupted live video streaming, validating the robustness of the system in complex metallic and industrial settings.

Building on these foundations, Générale de Manutention Portuaire has deployed a private 5G network at its Terminal de France facility, with support from Hub One, an operator experienced in delivering connectivity in challenging environments. The terminal, covering 80 hectares and handling some of the world’s largest container ships, has been fully digitised to enhance efficiency, safety and coordination. The private 5G solution guarantees uninterrupted, interference free connectivity at very high speeds, something that is crucial for critical port operations.

One of the most immediate applications has been the introduction of an anti collision system that integrates geolocation and on board devices to track maintenance vehicles and straddle carriers. Drivers now have access to an interactive map showing the movements of nearby equipment, significantly reducing the risk of accidents. Operators of Post Panamax gantry cranes also rely on the private network to remain constantly connected with agents and technicians in the ship holds. Photos, videos and operational data can be shared seamlessly to improve coordination during loading and unloading. Technicians equipped with 5G connected headsets can consult with suppliers in real time, making remote fault diagnosis possible and minimising downtime.

Despite the clear benefits, the pilot phase also highlighted the need to move from experimentation towards a sustainable operational model. Challenges emerged around device provisioning, the availability of ATEX rated 5G terminals, and the reconciliation of information technology with operational technology workflows. HAROPA has therefore taken steps to define a permanent private network offering for port and industrial campus users. The roadmap includes shaping the business case with local companies, securing long term licences and designing a contractual framework that meets the demands of the ecosystem. Spectrum management will be central to this evolution, with HAROPA considering whether to act as licence holder or to explore shared RAN models.

The private 5G journey at HAROPA Port of Le Havre illustrates how advanced connectivity can become a catalyst for digital transformation in maritime environments. From improving safety on the ground to enabling data intensive applications at sea, the network has already proven its technical value. The next challenge lies in building a commercial and organisational structure that can scale these capabilities sustainably. With its position as both France’s leading container port and a European innovation hub, Le Havre is showing how private 5G can underpin the intelligent port of the future. PortComms 2025 will hopefully have a further update on this.

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