New railway operator’s licence for Europorte 2

Europorte 2 was a pioneer in the liberalisation of international rail freight when, in February 2004, following the opening of the Trans-European Rail Freight network to competition, it obtained the first licence to be granted in France.

Following the changes to the management team of Eurotunnel and Europorte 2, a new strategy has been devised, based on the needs of customers, with realistic objectives that take account of the Group’s situation.

Europorte 2 is currently engaged in research into synergies that exist with the incumbent railways undertakings, with the goal of increasing the very low levels of cross Channel rail freight activity. At the same time, Europorte 2 maintains its independence in order to pursue other opportunities, either alone or in partnership.

Chairman of Europorte 2, Jacques Gounon, said “It is clearly part of Europorte 2’s mission to participate in the development of European rail freight and the attribution of this new licence by the Minister for Transport demonstrates that this is also the intention of the French authorities. Bearing in mind the expertise Eurotunnel has established, Europorte 2 has a vocation rapidly to become a vector for growth for the Group.”