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 LeShuttle Freight Passes Cargo Milestone with 35 Million Trucks

On March 13, 2024, LeShuttle Freight stated that on that day, its 35 millionth truck traveled over the Channel on a shuttle. 

Ontime Capitrans, one of Spain's biggest carriers of temperature-controlled commodities across Europe, is the owner of the 35 millionth vehicle. For more than 25 years, Ontime Capitrans has been a LeShuttle Freight client, supplying chilled products to some of the top grocery stores in the UK. After 36 years of driving, the driver, Luis Vitervo Panches, has made over a thousand cross-channel trips with LeShuttle Freight.

Onboard one of the 15 Truck Shuttles, over 750 million tonnes of cargo have passed through the tunnel since 1994. A crucial link in the worldwide supply chain, LeShuttle Freight transports 25% of the traded commodities.

thanks to the quick, convenient, and adaptable nature of its service, which offers up to six departures every hour, between the UK and continental Europe. Each Truck Shuttle is 800m long and can transport up to 32 trucks on the Folkestone to Calais 35-minute route.

With £29 billion in products exchanged between the two countries in 2023, Spain is a significant trading partner for the UK. The Channel Tunnel supported 16% of all trade between the United Kingdom and Spain, making it a vital route to market for Spain's fresh produce exports. Spain and Portugal account for 15–25% of LeShuttle Freight traffic, making the Iberian Peninsula one of the major commercial contributors to Germany, Eastern Europe, and Belgium-Netherlands.

As an innovator  LeShuttle Freight has launched FIRST, a unique new service for freight customers seeking extra time savings and committed support on their Channel crossings, as part of its ongoing effort to increase fluidity through innovation. LeShuttle Freight also launched the Driver Info web app to give drivers personalized information like arrival and departure timings, club car numbers, and customs status associated with a vehicle registration number, all of which improve the Short Strait crossing for both hauliers and drivers. In order to give drivers a seamless travel experience, the gadget is also utilized to convey crucial safety instructions and operational protocols. Additionally, it grants entry to the driver-only loyalty program.

LeShuttle's Chief Commercial Director Deborah Merrens stated: "This milestone is one We're really pleased of our clients and would like to express our gratitude for their unwavering support. LeShuttle Freight prioritizes better understanding the needs of its clients, hauliers and drivers, in order to provide them with specialized services, such as expedited border crossing processes and improved driver experiences both on and off our shuttles. This was demonstrated by a higher satisfaction rating from the previous year, and we're eager to reach our next goal shortly. Stay tuned!

At Ontime Capitrans, Agustin Lison, FTL International Operations Manager, stated: "We've been utilizing LeShuttle Freight for 25 years because of the service's quickness and convenience of use. It is the most effective and expedient method for us to supply our fresh products to British customers and the LeShuttle Freight's clever border solutions enable us to guarantee a quick and easy crossing.