The GMP was founded in 1976 at the quai de l'Europe in order to handle the container ships that had appeared on the market some years before. Faced with the continuous rise in the volumes handled and the size of the ships (appearance of the first post-panamax), it became necessary to build a new terminal, the Terminal des Amériques in the tidal dock. This terminal, which began operating in 1991, was equipped from the start with 3 over-panamax cranes for handling post-panamax ships and avoiding the use of tide gates. The growth in volumes handled was very significant ; it has been doubled within ten years from 1990-2000. 

Construction of the Quai de l'Europe and the inland dock (south-est dock) began in 1970. It was accessed by the Francis Ist tide gate, which enabled entry via the Coty dock and was opened in 1972. The basin joins the Tancarville canal in the north via the Bossière canal. 

From 1972, the terminal de l'Europe was used for unloading parcels and bulk goods. In 1974, it was adapted in order to allow unloading of containers. The newly formed GMP company was set up in 1976. 

Since its creation, the site has had two warehouses (101 and 102) which serve as goods storage. Hangar 101 is specially designed to enable the storage of bananas. These buildings are still there today and have been rented by the GMP since 1979.

In order to anticipate the future rise in container traffic, GMP decided to take part in the Port du Havre extension project "Port 2000" from the mid 90s, which guaranteed the future development of the company. The new terminal "Terminal de France" has been operational since 18th April 2006. This terminal benefits from the latest technological progress and is located at the mouth of the river Seine.