Rap for DB Schenker Channel Tunnel 'monopoly'
Eurotunnel boss calls for open access at rail freight terminal
Eurotunnel has hit out at DB Schneker’s monopoly at the Channel Tunnel’s rail freight terminal, claiming freight volumes will not increase until it is has open access.
Eurotunnel CEO Jacques Gounon said rail freight operators were put off using the tunnel because they objected to handing over customer details to DB Schenker in order to use the Dollands Moor rail freight terminal in Folkestone.
He said: “Any freight operator in the UK and France will tell you that in order to exit the tunnel, you are obliged to give a competitor all the details: the name of the customer, the frequency, the load nature and so on.
“It is good for DB Schenker because they have a kind of monopoly, but it is not helpful if we want to increase rail freight traffic.”
Another issue is that only certain types of locomotive can be used in the tunnel, which DB Schenker, SNCF and Eurotunnel subsidiary Europorte have access to, but only DB Schenker has spare parts.
Gounon said he would raise the issues with the head of DB Schenker.
Eurotunnel CEO Jacques Gounon said rail freight operators were put off using the tunnel because they objected to handing over customer details to DB Schenker in order to use the Dollands Moor rail freight terminal in Folkestone.
He said: “Any freight operator in the UK and France will tell you that in order to exit the tunnel, you are obliged to give a competitor all the details: the name of the customer, the frequency, the load nature and so on.
“It is good for DB Schenker because they have a kind of monopoly, but it is not helpful if we want to increase rail freight traffic.”
Another issue is that only certain types of locomotive can be used in the tunnel, which DB Schenker, SNCF and Eurotunnel subsidiary Europorte have access to, but only DB Schenker has spare parts.
Gounon said he would raise the issues with the head of DB Schenker.
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