The Channel Tunnel, which opened more than 30 years ago as a major pathway for trade between the UK and continental Europe, remains significantly under-used for rail freight [The Loadstar].
In 2023, just over 1,400 freight trains went through the tunnel — an average of only five per working day. Today, that average is down to four.
And the link’s operator, Getlink (formerly Groupe Eurotunnel), estimates this represents just 10% of the annual capacity available — one million tonnes.
The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) runs through China, Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and further through the Black Sea to Europe. The TITR is a multimodal route that involves two modes of transport: rail and sea.
