Construction & engineering freight and shipping
LeShuttle Freight partners with a wide range of organisations across the construction and engineering industries – from large-scale infrastructure and civil engineering firms to builders’ merchants and specialist suppliers, ensuring that shipments between the UK and mainland Europe reach their destinations quickly and efficiently.
Why choose LeShuttle Freight for your construction logistics?
Downtime has a direct impact on construction and engineering supply chains. LeShuttle Freight’s terminal operations are structured to minimise delays, with speed and safety factored into every stage of the journey. Beyond the 35-minute crossing from Folkestone to Calais, the entire service is built around punctuality – from customs clearance to check-in, supporting faster, simpler and more predictable transit times than traditional sea routes.
How does construction & engineering freight get shipped with LeShuttle Freight?
Supporting a wide range of commercial vehicle types commonly used across construction and engineering supply chains, LeShuttle Freight reduces friction by moving vehicles through security, check-in and boarding in a single, managed flow.
Operators with specific vehicle requirements are strongly advised to confirm applicable weight, height and width limits before travelling to ensure smooth terminal access.
Before your crossing
Crossings may be booked in advance, though freight account holders may travel without a prior booking, provided your company’s fleet and vehicle details are up to date before using the service. Upon arriving at LeShuttle Freight’s Folkestone or Calais terminals, vehicle registration is automatically recognised by our ANPR camera systems, and drivers are directed through border controls, security and check-in to the next available shuttle.
During and after the crossing
Once parked on the shuttle, drivers leave their vehicles, ensuring all electrical systems such as refrigeration units are switched off. Drivers will then travel in an air-conditioned ‘Club Car’, where they can relax for the duration of the 35-minute crossing.
The crossing forms part of a convenient motorway-to-motorway route and qualifies as a mandatory tachograph break, so they can resume their journey as soon as they leave the terminal.
Frequently asked questions
Are building materials and engineering components safe on LeShuttle Freight?
LeShuttle Freight operates established security procedures across terminals and crossings. These include security checks, surveillance systems and on-site security personnel. While the safety and security of vehicles and goods is of the utmost importance, LeShuttle Freight is not liable for loss or damage to vehicles, commercial goods or personal belongings unless such loss or damage results from LeShuttle Freight’s breach of the Conditions of Carriage.
Does our driver stay inside their truck?
No. Drivers are required to leave their vehicles for the duration of the crossing. They will spend the 35-minute crossing in an air conditioned Club Car, with other freight drivers. This carriage has free WiFi, and the time spent here counts as the driver’s mandatory tachograph break.
Is using LeShuttle Freight quicker than a ferry?
Yes. The Channel Tunnel crossing takes approximately 35 minutes. By comparison, ferry crossings between Dover and Calais typically take around 90 minutes, excluding embarkation and disembarkation time.
