With consumer behaviour across the globe being driven by ‘The Amazon Effect’ (an expectation for same or next-day delivery options at a competitive price), faster delivery times are becoming less of a choice for consumers and more of an expectation. To meet changing expectations for efficient deliveries, BLCC member Europa Road Belgium has developed its operation in Belgium to offer market-leading accompanied (shipping cargo accompanied by a driver) road freight at a competitive price to Belgian businesses.
The European road freight specialist of pioneering, UK-headquartered, independent operator Europa Worldwide Group has had a presence in Belgium since 2018 with the acquisition of Continental Cargo Carriers (CCC) in Ostend. Having rebranded to Europa Road in 2022 and opening its Rotterdam, Netherlands site in 2023, the company is now offering an accompanied service, due to an increased demand for faster transit times.
Mat Jobson, Regional Manager for Europa Road’s sites across the Benelux region, said:
“According to Statista, by 2027, global online marketplaces will be worth $49.24bn (USD), a growth driven by demand for time-sensitive goods and their impact on global supply chains.
Since acquiring CCC, we’ve seen major changes in road freight. A surge in online shopping during the Pandemic, followed by global conflicts, shifted consumer expectations, prompting us to adapt for faster, more seamless service.
Whether you are a Belgium-based raw material supplier, manufacturer or retailer, you need to get across the Channel quickly to stay competitive within your overseas markets.
Accompanied road freight offers a secure solution for time-critical deliveries. With drivers always present, issues can be resolved quickly. With Europa, delivery from Belgium or the Netherlands to Great Britain takes one day, and two to the Republic of Ireland.”
Europa has developed its accompanied service to facilitate faster transit times and shorter supply chains, which will help foster productivity for its customers and help them build their brands in a competitive market. It marks the next step in Europa’s mission to constantly innovate to better support its customers with reduced transit times between the European Union (EU) and Great Britain since Brexit.
Europa recently boosted efficiency and cost savings for its Benelux-based customers through the launch of its market-leading Free Carrier (FCA) clearance process. FCA Flow allows for full-loads travelling into Belgium and the Netherlands to be cleared at Calais, removing the cost of T-Forms and allowing goods to travel directly to their final destination point, rather than diverting via a third-party clearance facility.
In addition to its service Europa Flow, a Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) product which takes care of customs administration on behalf of the exporter, Europa’s road freight operation capitalises on the existing operational, technological and customs infrastructures that the company has successfully put in place since Brexit. Europa Flow was launched for Belgian exporters in 2022.
The company is also one of the largest commercial users of high-speed Eurotunnel service, LeShuttle Freight, which offers a faster, more sustainable route to the UK and Ireland from central Europe. Making 2,600 accompanied journeys through the tunnel every month, more than 30,000 annually.