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Calais freight recovers Brexit losses

[ January 23, 2024   //   ]

Dunkerque is to create a new piggyback terminal at its Western Port. It will offer an alternative to road for freight traffic using ro ro services, as well as for traffic generated by existing and future industrial facilities in the region.

It will comprise a transhipment terminal for trailers and swap-bodies and will be developed by Charles André Group. Work is scheduled to begin this year on the nine-hectare site along the Loon-Plage rail line, with commissioning planned for 2025.

In its annual report released on 23 January, the port of Calais said it had enjoyed a 10% rise in freight traffic, despite a slight 2% contraction in the overall Channel freight market.. With 1,809,813 freight units (heavy goods vehicles and unaccompanied trailers) moved, business returned to pre-Brexit level and Calais exceeded a 50% market share.

A new terminal offering free-flowing freight movements and virtual border crossings for goods have strengthened Calais’ position, it said. ·

However, after several years of strong growth, unaccompanied freight reduced by 12% in 2023, mainly due to temporary availability of East European drivers, which encouraged carriers to turn to accompanied mode.

The rail motorway services that serve the port of Calais – operated by French Railways’ VIIA arm – are holding up well and even increased traffic by 1% (41,641 units): “A genuine achievement for the operator VIIA in a very unfavourable national situation,” said Calais

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