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 Eurotunnel's Europorte freight division.

In 2009 Europorte's parent company Eurotunnel acquired the French operations of Veolia Cargo leading to the rebranding of Europorte 2 as Europorte Channel, a subsidiary of the combined Europorte division of the Eurotunnel group.^[1][2]

History

Background

Europorte 2 was founded in 2003.^[3] The company was established as an independent rail company, with a remit to expand freight operations around Calais. The company acquired a license to operate in France in February 2006.^[4]

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.^[5][6] 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.^[7][8]

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. ^[2]

Traction and rolling stock

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

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

In February 2007, following a tender exercise, the seven locomotives were purchased by Eurotunnel for £2 million, for use by Europorte 2.^[9] Five of the purchased locomotives were designated to be refurbished at Brush Traction's Loughborough facility. Subject to getting safety approval from the French National Office for Railway Safety (EPSF), Brush Traction were to fit the locomotives with the French KVB signalling and protection equipment, to enable operation of the locomotives beyond Calais and into France.

Current Fleet

• Class 92 Electric × 7 (92020–21, 32, 40, 44–46)

See also

• Rail transport in Great Britain
• History of rail transport in Great Britain
• Euro Cargo Rail
• GB Railfreight

References

External links

• Europorte official company website