Multimodal Plans To Increase Cross Channel Trading

Given that the Dover Straits Port Group, including the Channel Tunnel, currently handles 66% of all freight vehicles (including 88% of accompanied trailers) heading for mainland Europe from the UK, the Calais region is critical in providing the main cargo link between the UK and Continental Europe.

With this in mind, key ferry and rail operators are keen to improve the infrastructure in the region and have proposed a number of schemes including;

1. A logistics development at Calais to cost €200 Million (partnership between City of Calais, Port Managers and DCB International);
2. A modernised rail link with Dunkirk and new railway junction (invested in by Cap Calaisis)
3. Adoption of new 'road to rail' technology which offers the ability to take any accompanied trailer, detach the truck and load the trailer to what is effectively a giant pallet for onward, unaccompanied transfer throughout Europe by a suitably low rail wagon, no matter the rail gauge or whether a