Groupe Eurotunnel reveals 2010 traffic and revenue figures

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Eurotunnel have revealed their traffic and revenue figures for 2010.

2010 revenues increased globally by 26% to €736.6 million.

Jacques Gounon, Chairman and Chief Executive of Groupe Eurotunnel SA, stated, “Despite the very difficult economic situation, Eurotunnel’s activities have shown strong growth. Regaining our market share across the Channel has been continuous and we have, at the same time, successfully integrated the new rail freight businesses. The Group is ready to continue in the same vein”.

Towards the end of 2010, Eurotunnel’s market share had recovered from the position created by the fire in September 2008, demonstrating that the advantages of the Shuttle, its speed, reliability and respect for the environment are valued by customers. Shuttle traffic showed a significant increase of 15% in revenues, at a constant exchange rate. Over 2 million cars and more than a million trucks were transported during the period.

Eurotunnel Shuttles

Truck Shuttles:

Truck Shuttle traffic saw a significant increase during the year (+42%), with market share reaching 38% at the end of the period. The growth in Eurotunnel traffic should not hide the fact that there has been an estimated 16% contraction in the market compared to 2007 (+3% compared to 2009). This situation, which is largely the result of the economic crisis, has brought visibility to the different strategies employed by the different cross-Channel operators. The ferries appear to be chasing short term volumes, whilst Eurotunnel continues with a long term commercial policy.

Passengers Shuttles:

Car traffic has shown itself to be extremely positive (+ 11%), with all time records during the year: A total of 14,975 passenger vehicles travelled through the Tunnel (in both directions) on 14 August 2010. This significant growth in activity has enabled the Passenger Shuttles to achieve historic records with, notably, 9,382 passenger vehicles travelling from England to France on 23 July. The Channel Tunnel has regained a strong competitive position, proving the strength of its economic model and the performance of its staff who were able to respond to very high levels of demand during the summer. The last quarter, nevertheless bears witness to the challenges that resulted from the difficult transport conditions that arose this winter.

Overall, even though the economic crisis is not yet over and there is still substantial competition across the Channel, the return of Eurotunnel’s customers is clear. Truck traffic increased 35% in the fourth quarter. The strengths of the Shuttle are increasingly recognised, particularly the unmatched frequency, the short crossing time, and the high levels of punctuality. 2010 will remain characterised by the eruption of the Icelandic volcano during the spring. This phenomenon showed how fragile the air travel sector can be; suddenly sending many passengers toward the Tunnel, giving Eurotunnel’s staff the opportunity to show how well they react to challenges and demonstrating the inherent flexibility of the Shuttle fleet.

Rail network

Eurostar: The improvement seen during the first half year tailed of slightly in the second. Despite a 5% decrease in capacity offered, Eurostar continued to maintain the growth visible over the past few years, with annual passenger numbers passing the 9.5 million mark. The difficulties encountered during the bad weather during this winter, such as the delay or cancellation of services is behind the stagnation of the revenue figures in the fourth quarter.

Rail freight trains: The increase in the number of freight trains during the first quarter gave way to a strong decline, linked particularly to strike action in France. Despite everything however, several new inter-modal and train load services have been launched.

B. Rail freight: Europorte and its subsidiaries

The successful integration of Europorte’s new rail freight operators will enable the rail freight subsidiary, which in 2010 had revenues approaching €100 million, to position itself as a vector for growth by offering many customers the alternatives they are searching in terms of quality of service and punctuality.  Following the winning of the competitive tender in January 2010, Europorte has managed since 1st January 2011 the railway infrastructure at the Port of Dunkirk and has signed contracts for new business such as the delivery of 250,000 tonnes of wheat and barley per year for the agricultural cooperative, Cerevia, from Burgundy to Fos-Sur-Mer. It has also re-signed an existing contract with Lafarge for transport between Dunkirk and Le Havre.

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