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Logistics in Nantes: aerospace, shipbuilding and food production

Nantes is the capital of the Pays de la Loire region and, with roughly 320,000 inhabitants, the sixth-largest city in France. Its economy is broad. Aircraft component manufacturing in Bouguenais and Saint-Nazaire makes the metropolitan area an important part of the European aerospace industry. The shipyards at Saint-Nazaire also build some of the largest cruise ships in the world. Both sectors rely on a wide network of suppliers and on punctual deliveries of parts and materials to keep production lines moving.

Food production has deep roots here as well, from biscuit making to dairy and vegetables grown in the Loire valley, while the Muscadet vineyards lie just south-east of the city. A lively digital and creative sector has developed around the Île de Nantes, where former shipyard sites have been turned into offices, studios and event spaces.

The Nantes Saint-Nazaire port operates terminals along the estuary, from Cheviré in Nantes to Donges and Montoir-de-Bretagne further downstream, for energy products, agricultural goods and containers. Nantes Atlantique Airport handles air cargo alongside passengers. For British suppliers of components, packaging or consumer goods, direct haulage is a simple way to serve this region on the Atlantic coast.

The route from the UK to Nantes

Two approaches are common for road freight heading to the region. The first crosses from Dover to Calais or through the Channel Tunnel and follows the A16 and A28 via Rouen and Alençon to Le Mans. From there, the A11 continues via Angers to Nantes, which is roughly 660 km from Calais. The second option uses the Brittany Ferries crossing from Portsmouth to Saint-Malo, after which the N137 dual carriageway runs south via Rennes to Nantes. Which option fits depends on where your goods are collected in the UK.

Nantes has a ring road that crosses the Loire on the Cheviré bridge downstream from the centre. From the city, the A83 heads south towards Niort and Bordeaux, the N165 runs west into southern Brittany towards Vannes, and the N137 connects with Rennes. Saint-Nazaire lies about 60 km down the estuary.

Customs for goods sent to France

France is in the EU, so goods from Great Britain require a UK export declaration and an EU import declaration. EORI numbers are required for the exporter and the importer. At Dover, the tunnel and Portsmouth, GVMS connects the declarations to the vehicle with a Goods Movement Reference. Please agree all formalities with your customs agent before the collection date, as DAGO Express does not prepare customs declarations.

A reliable logistics company for UK–Nantes transports

More than 50,000 vehicles in 38 countries make up the DAGO Express network, and over 15,000 companies already use it for their haulage. If a vehicle has a breakdown, a replacement vehicle is sent immediately so the delivery stays on track. Our international transports are run by verified partners with a valid EU licence and, where needed, an ADR licence for dangerous goods. DAGO Express is ISO 9001 certified, and our team monitors shipments around the clock, weekends and public holidays included.

Insurance through the Schunck Group covers up to 8.33 SDR per kilogram of gross weight. For aerospace parts or other high-value goods, additional cover can be arranged at short notice. You receive a tracking link after booking and an email at collection and delivery. The DAGO ShipperHub brings together all your orders, ETAs and KPI figures, with real-time reports that can be exported as PDF or Excel or fed into your ERP system.

For a price straight away, enter the postcodes, dimensions and weight in the online price calculator, and the result appears within seconds. Bookings are also possible in the app, and quotes can be requested by email. From Nantes, our network continues to Spain, Portugal and throughout Europe.