With this ship-lift inaugurated on the 19th June 2001, the port of Cherbourg in Normandy has a special equipment that allows to develop a maintenance base for fast ships.

Because of its sole technical features in Europe, the ship-lift is designed to receive fast ships, a type of ships that has been developing a lot since these last 10 years, especially in the English Channel connections. The technical features of fast ships and their running request to reduce the maintenance time : that involve a new way of maintenance.

Sized to receive fast ferries like catamaran, this platform is the central component that allows to Cherbourg to be specialized in the maintenance and repairing of the new fast ships.

 Very well located in the centre of the development area of fast ships, and because of its nautical past, Cherbourg offers various skills in building and maintenance as well as a special advantage of a port in depth water well protected and with an easy access at any time and 365 days a year.

Cherbourg became "a base of skill for fast ships" because of its new equipment it is alone to have in relation to others ports located in the maritime area between the Atlantic and the North sea.