SPL des Ports de la Manche
SPL des Ports de la Manche is a public local company managing 9+ ports in Normandy's Manche department, including pleasure harbors, drying ports, heritage ports, and France's largest shellfish fish auction at La Criée de Granville, serving recreational boaters, commercial fishermen, and tourists with berthing, storage, auction, and ferry services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersSaint-Lô, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What SPL des Ports de la Manche does
SPL des Ports de la Manche is a Société Publique Locale (SPL) created in June 2012 by the Department of Manche to manage and develop the department's port infrastructure in Normandy, France. The company is headquartered in Saint-Lô and operates as a public local company owned by the Department of Manche, with 13 employees overseeing a portfolio of nine or more ports. Its portfolio spans pleasure boating harbors (Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue with 700+ vessels, Barneville-Carteret, Granville Hérel), drying ports (Port-Bail-sur-Mer, Barfleur), heritage ports in La Hague (Goury, Port Racine, Omonville-la-Rogue), commercial and fishing ports in Granville, the La Criée de Granville fish auction (France's largest shellfish port with over 7,600 tonnes processed annually), a cold storage terminal, and ferry maritime stations serving Channel Islands routes.
The company's product portfolio includes berth reservations and mooring services, dry port winter/summer storage with the Parklev boat handling system, fish auction transaction services, bicycle rentals, slipway access subscriptions, and ancillary port services. Its digital infrastructure features a proprietary mobile application for tide schedules and port gate operations covering four ports, 360° virtual port tours, and online reservation platforms including integration with Easy Boat Place. The company has pursued environmental certification systematically, achieving Ports Propres certification for three ports including the advanced 'actifs en biodiversité' standard, positioning it as an environmental leader among French marina operators.
SPL des Ports de la Manche generates revenue through a mix of recurring subscription fees (berth reservations, seasonal mooring, slipway subscriptions, dry port storage), transaction fees from the Granville fish auction, commercial port operations including cold storage, and ancillary services. The customer base is diversified across recreational boaters (primary segment), commercial fishing operations, and tourism/maritime transport. The company is governed by President Damien Pillon and directed by Olivier Lemaignen, with the Department of Manche as sole shareholder. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; tariffs are provided through downloadable documents. Capital expenditure is partially funded through public co-financing, including a 350,000€ state grant for Barneville-Carteret ecological transition under the Destination France plan.
SPL des Ports de la Manche firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SPL des Ports de la Manche
- Legal name
- SPL des Ports de la Manche
- Website
- https://ports-manche.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SPL des Ports de la Manche is a public local company managing 9+ ports in Normandy's Manche department, including pleasure harbors, drying ports, heritage ports, and France's largest shellfish fish auction at La Criée de Granville, serving recreational boaters, commercial fishermen, and tourists with berthing, storage, auction, and ferry services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SPL des Ports de la Manche industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Port Management Services
- NAICS
- Port and Harbor Operations (488310), Marinas (71393), Marine Cargo Handling (48832)
- SIC
- Water Transportation (4400)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Port Operations Control Center / Port Call Orchestration (TLAHAFAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Ferry Terminal & Passenger Pier Operations (Ferry-Specific) (THAIAJAJ), Marine Terminals & Cargo Handling Infrastructure (RoRo, Bulk, Container) (IMAFAJAF)
Keywords
Where SPL des Ports de la Manche is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saint-Lô
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices9 records
Markets served
SPL des Ports de la Manche business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Port Berthing and Mooring Fees: Recurring fees charged to recreational boaters and commercial vessels for berth reservations, seasonal mooring, and transient stopovers across all managed ports including Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, Barneville-Carteret, Granville Hérel, Port-Bail-sur-Mer, and Barfleur.
- Dry Port and Storage Services: Fees for dry dock access, boat storage services (summer quarters, free quarters, winter quarters), and secure handling services including the Parklev boat handling system at Hérel port.
- Fish Auction (La Criée de Granville): Transaction-based revenue from managing the Granville fish auction, the largest shellfish port in France with over 7,600 tonnes of products landed and sold annually.
- Commercial and Fishing Port Operations: Revenue from commercial ports and fishing ports of Granville, including cold storage terminal operations and maritime station fees.
- Ancillary Services: Bicycle rentals, slipway access subscriptions, and various port services to boaters and visitors.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
SPL des Ports de la Manche product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SPL des Ports de la Manche operates and manages a diverse portfolio of port infrastructure across the Manche department in Normandy, including pleasure boat harbors, drying ports, heritage ports, commercial and fishing ports, the Granville fish auction (France's largest shellfish port), cold storage facilities, and ferry terminals serving Channel Islands routes. The company also provides ancillary services such as berth reservations, mobile applications with tide and port gate information, 360° virtual tours, bicycle rentals, slipway access subscriptions, and land-based boat storage services.
Product overview
SPL des Ports de la Manche operates as a multi-port public enterprise managing a diverse portfolio of maritime infrastructure across Normandy's Manche department. The core offering encompasses pleasure boat harbor management (Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue with 700+ boats, Barneville-Carteret, and Granville Hérel), drying harbors (Port-Bail-sur-Mer, Barfleur), and heritage ports in La Hague (Goury, Port Racine, Omonville-la-Rogue). Supporting operations include commercial and fishing ports in Granville with the region's principal fish auction (Criée de Granville), cold storage terminal, and ferry terminals serving Channel Islands routes. The digital service portfolio includes an online berth reservation system, a dedicated mobile application for real-time tide and lock schedules, 360° virtual port tours, electric bicycle rentals, and land-based boat storage services. The organization prioritizes environmental certification under the Ports Propres international standard, with three certified ports demonstrating commitment to biodiversity and ecological transition.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Gestion des ports de plaisance (Pleasure Boat Harbor Management) Management of pleasure boat harbors at Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, Barneville-Carteret, and Granville Hérel, providing berth reservations, waiting list management, and port services for recreational boaters.
- Ports d'échouage (Drying Ports) Dry-dock ports at Port-Bail-sur-Mer and Barfleur where boats rest on the seabed at low tide, with waiting lists for berths.
- Ports patrimoniaux de la Hague (Heritage Ports) Heritage ports including Goury (drying harbor with SNSM sea rescue station), Port Racine (smallest port in France with 27 moorings on 8 ares), and Omonville-la-Rogue with its deep-water Hâble harbor.
- Criée de Granville (Fish Auction) Fish auction hall connecting fishing vessels with buyers (wholesalers and fishmongers), landing over 7,600 tonnes annually including Bulot de la Baie de Granville (IGP and MSC certified), Normandy scallops, and MSC-certified Cotentin lobster. Largest shellfish port in France.
- Ports de commerce et de pêche de Granville (Commercial and Fishing Ports) Commercial and fishing port operations in Granville, including fish auction, cold storage terminal, and ferry terminals.
- Terminal frigorifique de Granville (Cold Storage Terminal) Cold storage terminal at Granville supporting fishing port operations.
- Gares maritimes de Granville et Barneville-Carteret (Maritime Stations) Ferry terminals at Granville and Barneville-Carteret serving crossings to Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark).
- Service de réservation de places au port (Online Berth Reservation System) Online berth reservation system for stopovers at ports including Barneville-Carteret, Granville, Port-Bail-sur-Mer, and Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, with waiting list registration.
- Application marées et portes (Tide and Port Gates Mobile Application) Mobile application providing tide schedules and gate/lock opening and closing times for Hérel (Granville), Port-Bail-sur-Mer, Barneville-Carteret, and Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue ports, with entry/exit windows based on boat draft.
- Visites virtuelles 360° (360° Virtual Port Tours) Interactive 360° virtual tours of all ports and the Granville fish auction, allowing users to explore port infrastructure, services, and tourist attractions digitally.
- Location de vélos (Bicycle Rental Services) Electric-assisted and classic bicycle rental services at Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, Port-Bail-sur-Mer, and Barneville-Carteret for exploring the Cotentin coast.
- Abonnement aux cales de mise à l'eau (Slipway Access Subscription) Subscription service for launch ramp access at ports including Hérel (Granville), Port-Bail-sur-Mer, Barneville-Carteret, and Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue.
- Services de stationnement à terre (Land-Based Boat Storage Services) Land-based boat storage at Hérel port including Les Quartiers d'Été (summer June-September), Les Quartiers Libres (April-October for subscribers), Les Quartiers d'Hiver (winter November-February), and secure Parklev boat handling service.
Quantifiable outcome
- 80 French ports certified Ports Propres actifs en biodiversité, with SPL managing 3 of these certified ports (as of January 2026)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use SPL des Ports de la Manche
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SPL des Ports de la Manche technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
SPL des Ports de la Manche partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Département de la MancheflagshipFounding authority and sole shareholder of SPL des Ports de la Manche. Provides institutional support, strategic direction, and co-financing for port development projects.
- Fondation du PatrimoinecorePartnership for maritime heritage preservation. Both SPL des Ports de la Manche and Association du Festival des Coquillages et Crustacés contributed 2,000€ each to the Marité ship restoration project.
- Association du Festival des Coquillages et Crustacés de GranvillecoreCollaborative partner for the Festival Toute la mer sur un plateau event. Jointly contributed to Marité ship restoration with matching 2,000€ donations.
- SNSM (Société Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer)coreSea rescue organization with stations at Barneville-Carteret and Goury. Provides essential maritime safety services at managed port locations.
- FFPP (Fédération Française des Ports de Plaisance)minorNational federation for pleasure ports, providing industry representation and best practice frameworks.
- APNN (Association des Ports de Plaisance Normands)minorRegional association of Normandy pleasure ports for collaborative development and promotion.
- CapitenminorRegional maritime network supporting port development and nautical tourism promotion in Normandy.
- Easy Boat PlacecoreThird-party online berth reservation and waiting list management platform integrated for Granville Hérel port bookings and waiting list registration.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SPL des Ports de la Manche competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ports de Normandie: Regional port authority overseeing commercial and fishing ports across Normandy (Cherbourg, Caen-Ouistreham, Dieppe). Directly comparable as a multi-port public authority operating regional maritime infrastructure in the same geography, with overlapping commercial port and ferry terminal activities.
- Compagnie des Ports du Morbihan: SPL managing multiple pleasure and commercial ports in the Morbihan department of Brittany. Closely comparable French SPL structure, multi-port mandate, and focus on pleasure boating, fishing, and maritime tourism under a single public regional operator.
- Condor Ferries: Channel Islands ferry operator connecting Jersey, Guernsey, Saint-Malo, and Barneville-Carteret. Directly comparable via shared Barneville-Carteret maritime station and joint Channel Islands passenger traffic, making SPL a strategic port partner.
- Port Vauban Antibes: Leading French Riviera pleasure port (and one of Europe's largest marinas) operated under CCI oversight. Comparable as a French flagship marina with strong berth demand, premium mooring fees, and integration of tourism/yachting services.
- Brittany Ferries: Operates ferry services from Granville and other Norman/Brittany ports to the UK and Ireland. Directly comparable through shared use of Granville maritime station and parallel cross-Channel passenger and tourist services to British destinations.
Broad incumbents
- MDL Marinas: Largest UK marina operator managing 18+ coastal marinas with berthing, storage, and boatyard services. Comparable through pleasure port management at scale, multi-site consolidation, and ancillary services (storage, fuel, hoist), though operating under a private commercial rather than public SPL model.
- Yacht Havens Group: UK-based marina group with multiple deep-water marinas and boatyard services. Comparable through multi-port marina operations, storage, and ancillary boating services targeting recreational customers.
- Grand Port Maritime de Nantes Saint-Nazaire: Major French state port authority managing industrial, commercial, and passenger traffic on the Atlantic coast. Comparable as a French public port operator, though with a heavier industrial/cargo focus and significantly larger scale than the Manche SPL.
Others
- CCI Ports (various French Chambers of Commerce): Many French commercial and fishing ports are operated by local Chambers of Commerce. Comparable as alternative public-sector operators managing port infrastructure, with overlapping regulatory, environmental, and commercial dynamics.
- SNSM (Société Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer): French sea rescue organization operating stations at Barneville-Carteret and Goury. Ecosystem-level comparable as a co-located maritime safety partner at SPL-managed sites, relevant to maritime operations and regulatory context.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
SPL des Ports de la Manche social profiles
Digital presenceSPL des Ports de la Manche compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
SPL des Ports de la Manche financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SPL des Ports de la Manche leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
SPL des Ports de la Manche funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SPL des Ports de la Manche M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SPL des Ports de la Manche
What does SPL des Ports de la Manche do?
SPL des Ports de la Manche operates and manages a diverse portfolio of port infrastructure across the Manche department in Normandy, including pleasure boat harbors, drying ports, heritage ports, commercial and fishing ports, the Granville fish auction (France's largest shellfish port), cold storage facilities, and ferry terminals serving Channel Islands routes. The company also provides ancillary services such as berth reservations, mobile applications with tide and port gate information, 360° virtual tours, bicycle rentals, slipway access subscriptions, and land-based boat storage services.
Is SPL des Ports de la Manche a public or private company?
SPL des Ports de la Manche is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was SPL des Ports de la Manche founded?
SPL des Ports de la Manche was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SPL des Ports de la Manche based?
SPL des Ports de la Manche is headquartered in Saint-Lô, France, in the Europe region.
How does SPL des Ports de la Manche make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Port Berthing and Mooring Fees are the primary driver. The others are dry Port and Storage Services, fish Auction (La Criée de Granville), commercial and Fishing Port Operations and ancillary Services.
Who are SPL des Ports de la Manche's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ports de Normandie, Compagnie des Ports du Morbihan, Condor Ferries, Port Vauban Antibes and Brittany Ferries. Broad incumbents are MDL Marinas, Yacht Havens Group and Grand Port Maritime de Nantes Saint-Nazaire. Others are CCI Ports (various French Chambers of Commerce) and SNSM (Société Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer).
Does SPL des Ports de la Manche have an API?
No public API is recorded for SPL des Ports de la Manche.
What industry is SPL des Ports de la Manche in?
SPL des Ports de la Manche's product category is Port Management Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAHAFAI, Port Operations Control Center / Port Call Orchestration, with a secondary code of THAIAJAJ, Ferry Terminal & Passenger Pier Operations (Ferry-Specific). Its NAICS code is 488310 and its SIC code is 4400.