(Buffer Zone)
As the shortest route across the Strait with excellent transport links to major European capitals and the rest of Europe, trade has focused on these key gateways. This has required the ports to develop efficient port facilities and hinterland connections to match the considerable traffic growth created as a result of the introduction of Ro-Ro ferries 60 years ago on the Dover-Calais crossing.
In the last 20 years, Ro-Ro freight traffic volumes
have more than doubled as a result of the
efficiencies and capacity delivered by this system of transportation.
Moreover, in just the past two years
alone, these volumes have increased by 20%, with
2014 seeing the highest ever number of freight
vehicles coming through the ports. Today, the
Dover-Calais maritime link represents a unique and
non-substitutable bridge across one of the busiest
international seaways in the world:
Both ports are working together to meet the future challenges and have developed a common approach – the BRIDGE project.
Both ports are acknowledged at European level as “core ports” of the new TEN-T network 2014-2020 – a recognition of their strategic importance. This is the only core network connection between the UK and continental Europe and the route also constitutes the maritime part of the North Sea-Mediterranean corridor of the new TEN-T programme.
The BRIDGE project strengthens European cohesion in improving and facilitating connections between member States and between European regions, and in opening up an island country. More precisely, this sea route links the strategic UK road network with mainland Europe. In doing so, the Calais-Dover maritime link helps to implement the trans-European transport network in integrating a peripheral country.
The project is fully integrated in a Western Europe multimodal freight corridor combining road, rail and maritime transport and linking the UK with Northern France, Benelux and North-East Spain. BRIDGE will also make the maritime link served by the ports more fluid and more efficient by adapting the berths to the highest technical standards of ship accommodation. On the land side, the hinterland connections will also be improved for smoother access, a reduction of the carbon footprint and an improvement of the surrounding road network.
Tel: +44 (0) 1304 240400 Fax: +44 (0) 1304 240465
24 Boulevard des Alliés - C.S.90283, 62105 CALAIS Cedex Tel: +33 (0)3 21 46 29 00