The port of Saint-Malo is a port of active trade, it is classified of national interest, with the 2nd Breton rank for the goods, with the 1st rank for the passengers. At the national level (except Overseas), it was located in 2004 at the 15th rank, with equality at the time with Brest, behind Lorient 13th.

It is the property of the Région Brittany since January 1st, 2007. It is managed by the Chamber of commerce and of industry of the Country of Saint-Malo.

It is also the 9th shouted regional and at the same time a marina.

It profits in addition from equipment of naval repair with two forms of Radoub.

The opening on Rennes

The proximity of the great agglomeration which is Rennes instigates the activity of the port.

In 1832, the opening, after 30 years of work, of the channel of Island and Rance makes it possible to intensify the commercial exchanges with the regional capital. But the water way will not reign a long time, since 1864 the Compagnie of the railroads of the West brings into service the railway line Rennes - Saint-Malo. The river traffic then loses ground vis-a-vis the more flexible rail. The last commercial Chaland will be erased in 1960.

Birth of the current port

Since always, a disagreement opposed the communes of Saint-Malo and Saint-Servan. For this reason, too a long time Saint-Malo remained a dry harbor. The alleviated quarrels, the opening into 1932 of the two locks of Naye allowed the deep water setting of the basins. Unfortunately, the August 7th, 1944 at the time of the violent ones engagements of the last days of the occupation, the men of colonel Von Aulock dynamited the locks. Only one will be rebuilt, the site of the other will be used as dry dock.

Activity today

In addition to the activity “ferries”, treated in the outer harbor, it receives 2 to 3 cargo liners per day. Its installations include/understand 4 basins whose capacities of reception make it possible to take delivery of ships up to 15.000 tons, of following high limits of size:

• length 150 m;
• width 21 m;
• draft 9 Mr.

It is mainly a port of Cabotage exchanging on short distances, receiving or dispatching complete batches. Its activity relates to 2,2 1.400.000 passenger and ton million (figures 2004) (figures 2001); they are mainly travellers bound for the England, and the Channel Islands.

• Traffic ferries: 570.000 tons, with the British Isles.

• Activity with the importation: 900.000 tons of manure, 125.000 tons of wood, 125.000 tons of oil products, 50.000 tons of granite (1st importing port)…

• Activity with export: scrap, manure, alive cattle…

Located well on a regional level, it misses nevertheless some assets, its situation of center town limits it in the dangerous matter reception, and the strong tourist traffic disturbs the approach of its installations.

In addition, its access is dependant on the rate/rhythm of the tides whose Marnage can reach 13,60 m (one of the strongest amplitudes of all Europe). It is also weakened by its single lock which in the event of failure would immobilize any movement cargo liner. The port is equipped with four headlights to facilitate its access of them: the Headlight of Rochebonne, the Headlight of the Large Garden at sea, the Headlight of Low-Fine sands and the Headlight of Balue.

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