Eurotunnel has annonced a fresh initiative to support the development of rail freight traffic through the Channel Tunnel which increased by 10% last year and by 13% in the first quarter of 2014.
The fixed link operator's ETICA programme (Eurotunnel Incentive for Capacity Additions), which was put in place in May 2013 to provide aid for a limited period at the start up of new intermodal freight services, is to be extended to five new categories of traffic.
These include new car transport, food and drinks transported in conventional full train loads and consumer goods.
"In order to optimise the use of the Channel Tunnel for rail freight at night, charges for off peak hours (from 23:00 to 07:00 on weekdays) will benefit from a reduction of 25% and the charges for access during maintenance periods will be reduced to two nights per week instead of the current three. A single charge will be applied for maintenance periods, irrespective of the number of trains," Eurotunnel said.
The goal is to generate a doubling of the number of trains to 5,000 per year in 2018.
Eurotunnel has also ensured the removal of the surcharge established by French rail network manager, Reseau Ferre de France, for security at the entrance to the Tunnel at Frethun.
The changes will enter into service from June 2014 and Eurotunnel has also committed to freezing rail freight rates until the end of 2018.
The European Commission's Vice-President Transport, Siim Kallas said he welcomed Eurotunnel's announcement "because it should pave the way for more freight to use the Channel Tunnel and at lower prices. It stands to unblock a major bottleneck in Europe's transport network."
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