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Port of CARENTAN

FRCTA🇫🇷France

Port Location

About Port of CARENTAN

Carentan is a canal port located on the Douve River estuary in Normandy, France. It serves as a small inland port, historically significant for its strategic position during World War II.

Background
Carentan is a small rural town near the north-eastern base of the French Cotentin Peninsula in Normandy in north-western France, with a population of about 6,000. It is a former commune in the Manche department. On 1 January 2016, it was merged into the new commune of Carentan-les-Marais. The town was a strategic early goal of the World War II landings as capturing the town was necessary to link the lodgements at Utah Beach and Omaha Beach which were divided by the Douve river estuary. The town was also needed as an intermediate staging position for the capture of the cities of Cherbourg and Octeville, with the critically important port facilities in Cherbourg.

Current Conditions

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Vessel Limits

Elevation
-9999m

Operations & Services

References & Identifiers

GeoNames ID
2986023 →
Wikidata
Q242091 →
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Official Site
www.ville-carentan.fr →

Identification

UN/LOCODE
FRCTA
Country
🇫🇷France
Time Zone
UTC+1
Feature Type
CNL (Canal)

Classification

Type
Port

Region

Area
UK Coast & Atlantic
Sub-area
English Channel
Latitude
49.3088°
Longitude
-1.2370°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I navigate the approach to the Port of CARENTAN?+
The approach to CARENTAN is supported by 5 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Îles Saint-Marcouf Lighthouse at 11.9 NM to the NNE. Other aids include Morsalines (16 NM NNW), St.-Vaast-la-Hougue (16.7 NM N), Pointe de Saire (17.9 NM N), Port-en-Bessin Postérieur (18.8 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.
What major shipping routes pass near the Port of CARENTAN?+
The Port of CARENTAN is located within the English Channel / North Sea corridor — one of the world's busiest maritime corridors connecting the Atlantic to Northern European ports. This strategic position influences vessel traffic density, anchorage availability, and port scheduling.
How do I track vessels arriving at or departing from the Port of CARENTAN?+
You can track vessels near CARENTAN (FRCTA) in real time using MarineRadar. The platform displays live AIS positions of nearby ships, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page or search for FRCTA on the live map.
What are the operating hours and time zone for the Port of CARENTAN?+
The Port of CARENTAN operates in the UTC+1 time zone. Operating hours, VTS schedules, and pilot availability vary — vessel agents should confirm with the port authority in advance, especially for night arrivals or weekend operations.