Initial work at Le Havre worth US$500m

Le Havre is to build a new port with an investment of US$500 million in the first phase.

The port, to be built at the mouth of the Seine, will have five container terminals.

'Work on the breakwater is expected to start in the middle of this year after authorisation is obtained,' Florence Aubergier, Le Havre's Asia business co-ordinator, said.

The project will be completed in 2003 and the draught at the quays will be at least 15 metres.

While infrastructure will be provided by the government, investment in the terminals will be from the private sector.

One of the attractions of the port is that the dock workers have signed no-strike agreements with the stevedoring companies that have more than two years to run.