GET 2010/05
27 January 2010
For immediate release
On 27 January, Eurotunnel, world leader in piggyback transport, carried its 15
millionth truck since Cross Channel services began 15 years ago
At 11:36 today 27 January, Eurotunnel celebrated, on board a shuttle travelling
between Coquelles and Folkestone, the 15 millionth truck to cross the Channel
Tunnel using its Truck Shuttle service since operations first began in 1994.
This considerable flow (on average a million trucks year since the very
beginning and even more since 2000) makes Eurotunnel the world leader in
piggyback transport. Eurotunnel operates 15 electrically-powered Shuttles
dedicated to heavy goods vehicles. These circulate 24 hours a day, 365 days a
year. In 2010 Eurotunnel Truck Shuttles crossed the Channel almost 60,000 times,
an average of 165 times a day or up to 7 times an hour.
The 15 millionth truck belonged to Geodis, a major Eurotunnel customer, fourth
largest logistics provider in Europe. Eurotunnel plays an essential part in the
supply chain of its customers by ensuring that their time critical loads are
provided with the fastest, most reliable cross Channel service.
Geodis driver, Ricky Szitkovics, said "I take the Eurotunnel Truck Shuttles
several times a week to as part of the European groupage business and really
appreciate the crossing time and the frequency of departures. Whatever the
weather I know I can count on Eurotunnel to keep to my delivery commitment."
Geodis belongs to the Club for Sustainable Development in cross-Channel Freight
Haulage. This brings together the major users(1) of Eurotunnel Truck Shuttles
for whom reduction in carbon emissions is a key priority. Choosing Eurotunnel
means that they benefit from the most environmentally friendly way to cross the
Channel. In this way Eurotunnel is providing its customers with an increasingly
relevant competitive advantage.
Jo Willacy, Eurotunnel's Commercial Director, said "I thank Geodis for putting
their trust in Eurotunnel. 15 million trucks in 15 years is a fantastic result
for us. It sends out a clear message that a relentless focus on quality of
service is the key to market leadership. It encourages us and motivates us to
continue investment in further improvements."
(1)The Club for Sustainable Development in Cross Channel freight haulage
currently includes among others Eddie Stobart, SITRA, Waberer's, DSV, Arcese,
GEFCO, DHL, UPS, Fedex, TSA, DailyFresh, Transalliance, Capitrans, TNT, Willy
Betz, Norbert Dentressangle and RH Freight.
Note to editors: photographs of this event are available on request from the
Eurotunnel Press Team
For media enquiries contact the press office on +44 (0) 1303 284491
Email:press@eurotunnel.com
For investor enquiries contact Michael Schuller on +44 (0) 1303 288749
Email: Michael.schuller@eurotunnel.com
[HUG#1377784]
Press release (PDF):
http://hugin.info/139825/R/1377784/338532.pdf