Europorte Channel

Europorte Channel (formerly Europorte 2) is a rail freight train operator which operates rail freight services between France and the United Kingdom through the Channel Tunnel. It is a subsidiary of Europorte.

Europorte Channel
IndustryRail freight
PredecessorEuroporte 2
Founded2003
ParentEuroporte
Websitewww.europorte.com

In 2009 Europorte's parent company Eurotunnel acquired the French operations of Veolia Cargo leading to the rebranding of Europorte 2 as Europorte Channel.

History

Background

Europorte 2 was founded in 2003.[1] The company was established as an independent rail company, with a remit to expand freight operations around Calais. The company acquired a licence to operate in France in February 2006.[2]

Operations

In June 2007 the Eurotunnel entered into a collaboration with the Port of Dunkirk relating to rail freight traffic through Europorte 2 subsidiary; the company was to operate trains from Dunkerque to the Delta 3 logistics terminal at Dourges, and collaborate on container shipments to the UK using the port of Dunkerque via channel tunnel.[3][4] In 2010 Eurotunnel obtained a contract with the port to operate the enterprises own railway system - this contract was carried out by a new organisation Europorte Services.[5][6]

In 2009 Eurotunnel acquired Veolia Cargo's French rail freight operations - during the period of absorption of these entities Europorte 2 was renamed Europorte Channel.[7][8][9]

Traction and rolling stock

A fleet of forty-six Class 92 locomotives were built by a consortium of Brush Traction and ABB between 1993 and 1996. Initially the fleet was split between Railfreight Distribution, SNCF and British Rail European Passenger Services (now Eurostar International) for operations through the Channel Tunnel.

The locomotives attached to London & Continental Railways were for operations of the Nightstar international sleeper services. Introduction of the sleeper services were delayed and then cancelled. During 2000, Eurostar International offered its seven Class 92 members (92020–21, 32, 40, 44–46) for sale, being surplus to requirements.[10] No immediate buyer could be found, so the locomotives were decommissioned and stored at Crewe Electric TMD.

In February 2007, following a tender exercise, the seven locomotives were purchased by Eurotunnel for £2 million, for use by Europorte 2.[11][12] In July 2011, Europorte 2/Eurotunnel purchased the five remaining locomotives that had belonged to SNCF, bringing Eurotunnel's total up to sixteen Class 92s.[13][14]

Current fleet
  • Class 92 Electric × 16 — 92006, 92010, 92014, 92018, 92020-92021, 92023, 92028, 92032–92033, 92038, 92040, 92043–92046

References
  1. "Company Overview of Europorte 2", investing.businessweek.com, Bloomberg News, archived from the original on 11 July 2012, retrieved 10 March 2012
  2. "Europorte 2", www3.eurotunnel.com, archived from the original on 18 November 2006
  3. "Channel Tunnel freight deal follows crucial vote", Railway Gazette International, 1 July 2007
  4. "Eurotunnel and the Port of Dunkirk together on rail freight", www.usinenovelle.com (in French), 15 June 2007
  5. "DUNKERQUE PORT choisit EUROTUNNEL pour l'exploitation et la maintenance de son réseau férré", www.dunkerque-port.fr (in French), 13 January 2010
  6. Pascale Decressac (7 July 2011), "Rail freight specialist Europorte offers businesses all necessary services for transporting their goods", www.actu-cci.com
  7. "Eurotunnel completes first external expansion in its history with the acquisition of the French businesses of Veolia Cargo". Euroinvestor. 1 December 2009.
  8. Falkner, James (1 December 2009). "Eurotunnel completes Veolia Cargo takeover". International Freight Weekly. Informa.
  9. Eurotunnel and SNCF acquire Veolia Cargo International Railway Journal October 2009 page 16
  10. Eurostar Class 92s put up for sale The Railway Magazine issue 1193 September 2000 page 12
  11. Eurotunnel buys five Class 92 locomotives Eurotunnel 15 February 2007
  12. Eurotunnel buys five 92s Rail issue 560 28 February 2007 page 53
  13. "Eurotunnel's Rail Buy". Daily Express. 19 July 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  14. Eurotunnel buys five Class 92s The Railway Magazine issue 1325 September 2011 page 78
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