Calais – 25th April 2017
Today, the Port Boulogne Calais unveils its activity figures for the first trimester of 2017 for the port of Calais. After a difficult year in 2016, professionals have affirmed, through their strong comeback, a renewed confidence in the services of the Calais installations.
An absolute record for freight traffic for the month of March
The renewed pickup of freight traffic has been confirmed in the first trimester of 2017 and allowed the port of Calais to realise the best trimester in its history through an absolute record for the month of March and the passage of 181.005 cargo units which used the Calais port facilities. The number of lorries crossing through the port of Calais grew by 11,2% compared to the first trimester of 2016, with 507.850 heavy goods vessels passing through the port.
As further encouragement for the beginning of the year, unaccompanied freight traffic also increased by 13% compared to 2016 with more than 1.000 additional trailers handled by the port services.
This record for traffic in lorries allows the port of Calais to consolidate its position as the uncontested leader in cross-Channel freight traffic, with a market share of 47,72%.
Jean-Marc Puissesseau, President-Director of the Boulogne Calais Port, declared: “We are pleased with the very encouraging freight results which were obtained thanks to the efforts taken to ensure the security of all users and the fluidity of traffic. This increase further reinforces the need to adapt our infrastructure to these new volumes of traffic through Calais Port 2015.
We hope that the renewed confidence of professionals will also manifest itself among tourists so that the Port of Calais continues to be the privileged point of passage for exchanges with Great Britain, as much as for freight as for passengers.”
Summary of key figures for the first trimester 2017
Traffic of travellers: 1.532.011 travellers
Coach traffic: 12.234 coaches
Traffic of lorries: 507.851 vessels
Tourist vehicles: 179.973 vehicles
