Actu : Cherbourg–Irlande : des liens maritimes aux opportunités économiques EN

On 14 and 15 October 2026, Ports de Normandie and the Communauté d'Aglomération du Cotentin, in collaboration with the France-Ireland Chamber of Commerce, welcomed a delegation of Irish businesses to Cherbourg as part of a Learning Expedition dedicated to developing Franco-Irish economic relations.

Over the course of two days, the Irish representatives – from the transport, logistics and energy sectors in particular – explored the region’s port and industrial assets and held discussions with a number of local business representatives.

The programme included: a welcome at the Fort des Flamands, a tour of the port facilities, B2B meetings and a networking evening at the Manufacture des Parapluies in Cherbourg, attended by Christèle Castelein, President of the Communauté d'Aglomération du Cotentin, and Camille Margueritte, Mayor of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and a representative of Ports de Normandie.

An industrial visit brought these two days of discussions to a close.

The Port of Cherbourg: a strategic link with Ireland. With 300,000 passengers, over 2 million tonnes of freight and 85,000 heavy goods vehicles by 2025, the port plays a major role in maritime trade with Ireland.

This meeting forms part of a cooperation initiative launched in 2022, with the aim of developing new synergies in freight, logistics, fisheries, seafood processing and marine renewable energy.

Beyond maritime links, these two days have helped to bring French and Irish businesses closer together, strengthen existing partnerships and open up new prospects for economic development on both sides of the Channel.