Eurotunnel: 20 million trucks and counting

The Eurotunnel rail link between England and continental Europe recently carried its 20 millionth truck

One of the world’s busiest trucking thoroughfares, the Eurotunnel, recently chalked up a milestone just four months shy of its 20th anniversary: the railway that links England with France under the British Channel carried its 20 millionth truck.

The historic passage was claimed by an Emons Cargo BV truck – a large Dutch carrier with a 160-strong fleet of cutting-edge double-deck 2WIN trucks – on a Eurotunnel Freight Shuttle operating from Coquelles in France to Folkestone in England.

Since the opening of the Eurotunnel Freight Shuttle on July 25, 1994, the service has expanded to the point where it’s used by over 3000 clients who rack up over 63,000 departures each year. The service, which operates around the clock, now carries nearly 1.5 million trucks annually.

In addition to fast travel times, as a rail link the Eurotunnel also represents an environmentally friendly means of crossing the Channel. Emons says using the Eurotunnel has helped it to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by over 40 per cent.

The Commercial Director of Emons Cargo BV, Eric Driessen, said he was thrilled to be involved in the milestone crossing.

“We have used the Channel Tunnel since its opening 20 years ago,” he said.

“We are frequent users and we are delighted and proud to have the 20 millionth truck to cross the Channel on board a Eurotunnel Shuttle. Eurotunnel enables us to meet the high service and sustainability standards demanded by our customers.”

Eurotunnel’s Commercial Director, Jo Willacy, said it was fitting that Emons Cargo BV was associated with the historic crossing.

“We are especially pleased that the 20 millionth truck to cross the Channel through the tunnel is part of one of our earliest customer’s fleets,” she said.

“It is recognition of the professionalism of our employees and the quality of the service we provide.”

Eurotunnel: 20 million trucks and counting

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