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.
Interview with President of the National Research Centre for Transportation and Infrastructure Pavel Ivankin
The Red Sea crisis was a new challenge for maritime shipping, which begs the question of whether the maritime shipping market will be able to adapt to new circumstances or whether the unstable situation in the Red Sea will push shippers to switch to rail transport.
