Channel tunnel freight costs to fall

Source: Supply Chain Digital

Date :19/07/2007 10:13:45

Eurotunnel is set to revise its fee structure for freight trains using the channel tunnel.

The cross channel service has suffered badly due to customers abandoning the route to avoid prohibitive costs.

The current fee structure is based on arrangements made in 1994 before the tunnel’s opening, between SNCF, British rail and Eurotunnel,

The structure is open to changes as Eurotunnel now has the resources to invest in its own freight trains.

A spokesperson for EWS, Britain’s largest rail operator, said: “The change in charges proposed by Eurotunnel represents a significant milestone in the development of cross-channel rail freight.

"An economic and affordable pricing scheme for freight trains, set at a level the market can bear, will allow goods to be re-captured to freight trains.”

He went on to say that the revised charges will enable EWS to launch services connecting all parts of Britain with destinations across mainland Europe.

July 19 2007