| Any transport or freight company carrying goods will | | | | running costs along with helping you to reduce your |
| have to answer; what is the most effective route to | | | | businesses carbon footprint. |
| make ferry bookings on to move freight vehicles | | | | If you haven't had a look at long sea options, it is |
| around Europe? | | | | time to do so. As a general rule, long sea ferry |
| This largely revolves around how often and how | | | | routes do cost more than short sea Dover options |
| much freight is there to move, and most importantly, | | | | for all vehicles from 6m transit vans for couriers, up |
| where in Europe? 86% of freight moves in and out | | | | to 18m road trains. However, the smart haulier keeps |
| of the UK on Dover to Calais, Dover to Dunkerque | | | | an eye on all the ferry options. As a result of the |
| or Folkestone to Calais routes. This is largely because | | | | economic down turn, over the last 18 months, ferry |
| it has the shortest transit time which means it has | | | | rates for cargo carrying freight vehicles have slowly |
| the lowest sea freight rates. However, the smart | | | | reduced. Do not expect them to be as cheap as |
| cargo operator needs to look at all the ferry options. | | | | Dover options. But long sea ferry routes are trying to |
| With the ever increasing profile of large goods vehicle | | | | provide cost effective alternatives to short sea |
| (LGV) checks by government agencies such as police | | | | options. There will be a percentage of your business, |
| and Vosa (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency), | | | | however small, that can transfer to save you money. |
| an increasingly important consideration is driver rest | | | | You would ask a plumber about a leaking pipe |
| periods. If driver rest periods can be worked into less | | | | because that is all he does. Speak to an agent who |
| popular long sea routes, although the sea freight may | | | | specializes in booking ferries throughout Europe. You |
| be higher, the over all end to end costs could be | | | | may be pleasantly surprised. |
| more favourable. Less running miles means reduced | | | | |