TruckandTrackWinter2019FB

www.truckandtrack.com Winter 2019 Truck and Track 71 PORTS ■■ DFDS provide a free ‘main course’ for every freight driver travelling with them in their exclusive Road Kings restaurant and relaxation areas. Over the next few months, a more varied menu rotation will be introduced, and greater emphasis placed on providing a healthy option. ■■ Following driver feedback, the provision of storage areas and regular temperature checks will now be made to the onboard showers. ■■ The free WIFI enjoyed by drivers will be continued. ■■ Freight driver discount in the onboard shops, and ongoing special offers, will be made available. ■■ The DFDS ‘Freight Ferry App’ which is available in 11 languages can be downloaded free. This provides live ‘real time’ sailing information, together with updates on any traffic delays, special offers onboard, etc. During the months of December, January and February, DFDS will be handing out flyers to freight drivers as a thank you for taking the time to complete their survey. Please look out for your discount voucher if you are travelling during this period. Preparing for Brexit During the current period of uncertainty regarding the implementation of Brexit, DFDS have been working to prepare for any outcome. Continuous efforts to encourage DFDS’s freight customers to take appropriate action will continue. Wayne Bullen states “The fear is that, when loaded vehicles arrive in the port, with the amount of traffic that is being handled, it won’t takemuch to create a complete stoppage”. Even if a company has all its own paperwork in order, other trucks being turned around at the entrances could prevent them from reaching the port”. DFDS are encouraging customers to go through checklists and check out online information to ensure that they are as prepared as possible. The DFDS Brexit team are continually monitoring the situation and the latest information can be found on their website https://www.dfds.com/en/about/insights/brexit The creation of a holding area atManston for trucks without correct paperwork would be only part of the answer to the problem. The prospect of trucks crowding onto unsuitable local roads and getting in the way of the school run or emergency services was not a comfortable one, and Wayne Bullen asks the question ‘how long would it be before the surrounding area becomes gridlocked?’ Nevertheless, DFDS has introduced some contingency measures that will play a big part towards keeping things moving. In Dover and Calais, it is to some extent constrained by the pressures of being busy, multi-operator ports. However, DFDS are keen to point out the benefits of Dunkerque as a single operator port. Approach to Fast Lane in Dunkerque DFDS has created a fast lane for urgent traffic, such as pharmaceuticals or perishable goods, allowing trucks to bypass any potential queues and the buffer zone. In the event of any Brexit congestion, for an agreed fee, spaces will be reserved on vessels for urgent traffic and while it might not always be possible to guarantee drivers that they will be able to get away on the very next vessel – if all spaces are full – it should be possible to guarantee space on subsequent sailings. DFDS is unique among cross-Channel operators in that it could quickly and easily redeploy vessels from Calais to Dunkerque or vice versa, as demand dictates. One of its existing vessels can use either port and it already has fully staffed and equipped operations in either location thus making DFDS very agile if congestion occurs. Other ferry operators would find it hard to use alternative ports where they were not normally established as staff and equipment would have to be relocated – even if they had vessels that would fit the berths. “That sort of flexibility is priceless and a massive benefit to our customers,” comments Wayne Bullen. If you would like further information on any of the services DFDS offer their freight drivers on the Eastern Channel please contact dover.freightcustomerservices@dfds.com www.dfds.com Freight ferry App GRAZIE GRAZIE GRAZIE PALDIES PALDIES PALDIES JE VOUS REMERCIE JE VOUS REMERCIE JE VOUS REMERCIE JE VOUS REMERCIE TESEKKÜRLER TESEKKÜRLER TESEKKÜRLER DANKE DĚKUJU DĚKUJU DĚKUJU DANK JE DANK JE MULŢUMESC MULŢUMESC KÖSZÖNÖM KÖSZÖNÖM KÖSZÖNÖM GRACIAS GRACIAS GRAZIE GRAZIE GRAZIE PALDIES PALDIES PALDIES JE VOUS REMERCIE JE VOUS REMERCIE JE VOUS REMERCIE TESEKKÜRLER TESEKKÜRLER TESEKKÜRLER DĚKUJU DĚKUJU DANK JE DANK JE MULŢUMESC MULŢUMESC KÖSZÖNÖM KÖSZÖNÖM KÖSZÖNÖM GRACIAS GRACIAS GRAZIE PALDIES PALDIES JE VOUS REMERCIE JE VOUS REMERCIE TESEKKÜRLER TESEKKÜRLER DANKE DĚKUJU DĚKUJU DANK JE KÖSZÖNÖM KÖSZÖNÖM GRACIAS GRACIAS *Thisofferexcludes tobaccoandalcohol. THANK YOU for completing our survey As our way of saying thank you, please use one of our vouchers in our Sea Shop for a 20% discount* Collect your voucher at Dover check-in, subject to availability JE VOUS REMERCIE DANK JE MULŢUMESC DANKE DĚKUJU PALDIES MULŢUMESC GRAZIE JE VOUS REMERCIE TESEKKÜRLER • HealthyOptions • MealVariation • ShowerFacilities • Chef’sSpecialDays It isvery important tous thatwe listen toour freightdriversandsupport youwith thebestpossibleservice.Fromyour feedbackwearenow working to implement the following improvements: