European Freight from the United Kingdom

European Freight from the United Kingdom is carried mainly by either by rail freight transport or by trucks travelling by road. Transport companies can offer full load trailers with around 100 square metres loading capacity or more. There are a large number of highly experienced businesses offering a freight service between the UK and Europe who have teams of skilled drivers and impressive fleets.

Trucks travelling throughout Europe usually carry up to 25 tons in weight, though heavier loads of up to 28 tons are possible. This usually means an articulated truck vehicle of 18.75 meters in length made up of a tractor unit towing a trailer. The cargo of road freight transport can be made up in several ways. Containers are commonly used. These are large rigid steel boxes that can be loaded on to trailers, fastened in place and securely sealed. This helps to ensure the safe transport of the freight.

Goods can be palletised and loaded on to trailers. These can be either open or closed trailers. Having goods on pallets allows for the cargo to be easily and efficiently loaded and unloaded by forklifts. The actual goods need not be disturbed in any way and can remain on the pallets throughout the journey. This form of European freight carrying export or import is highly efficient and extensively used.

Double deck vehicles and trailers can greatly extend the number of standard pallets carried. This is normally 26 for a standard trailer, but with a double deck, a second floor level made possible through a second floor that is hinged or moveable, up to 40 pallets may be carried at a time. This allows hauliers to realise much greater overall efficiency and cost savings when travelling to mainland Europe.

Moving international freight across Europe through the channel tunnel is big business. Thousands of trucks cross borders every day carrying everything from food to fuel, or tables to tennis balls. Many of the borders between European countries have been considerably relaxed in recent years making the logistics even easier for the international hauliers involved. Moving between Spain and Portugal, for example, is pretty much the same as moving between England and Scotland; there are no custom checks.

European freight carriers generally try to bring a full load back from the truck's destination. This is necessary to make the trip more economical. There is a big market in return loads as carriers are always keen to find new sources of loads to bring back. There is a considerable network of international freight transport between the United Kingdom and Europe that is building all the time.