The port generates 41,500 jobs[2] has an annual turnover of €169.5 million[3] and a traffic of €4 billion according to an OECD study.

As second port of France, the issue was too important and the national government took action, passing a law on August 5, 1844, toward the construction of a new basin at la Joliette, to the north of the Old Port, through an ambitious project (13 million francs).

The construction of the large mole used concrete block techniques.

The Development Council for the metropolitan area of Marseille-Provence has studied the creation of a technopole, or technoport, to redynamise the port activities.

It would include the capacity to repair ships over 270 m (885 ft or 295 yd) long, offshore wind turbines and other innovative technologies.