Case Study – Transportes Pascoal

Since the early 1980s, when Transportes Pascoal began operating regular Portugal–UK routes, one of the main operational challenges was crossing the English Channel in a way that ensured speed, safety, and schedule reliability. Although alternative crossings by ferry existed and were often cheaper, they did not offer the same level of predictability or operational control required for time-critical international freight.

What were your challenges or problems before using LeShuttle Freight?

Operating long-haul international routes between Portugal and the United Kingdom requires extremely high reliability at every bottleneck. The English Channel crossing is one of the most critical points. From the outset, we needed a solution that minimised delays, reduced exposure to weather disruptions, and provided consistent transit times. Since 2020, with the implementation of Brexit, this requirement became even more critical due to customs complexity.

The strategic importance of the Portugal–UK corridor for our customers, combined with the need for a dependable crossing partner that could scale with our operations over decades.

What objectives were you aiming to achieve?

• Guarantee on-time delivery, one of our core operational KPIs;
• Reduce operational uncertainty at the Channel crossing;
• Maintain a high level of safety for drivers, cargo, and equipment;
• Ensure long-term cost efficiency through reliability rather than lowest upfront cost.

How did LeShuttle Freight provide the solution you needed?

Regular shuttle crossings via the Channel Tunnel between Calais and Folkestone.

What, for you, are the key features of LeShuttle Freight?

• Exceptional reliability and punctuality, independent of sea conditions;
• High frequency of departures in both directions;
• Strong focus on safety and controlled access;
• Customs and documentation support, particularly relevant post-Brexit;
• Predictable transit times that integrate well into long-haul planning;

Although ferry crossings can be cheaper on paper, LeShuttle Freight consistently proves more cost-efficient when considering reliability, reduced delays, and service continuity.

Was there any specific customisation or adaptation made for your situation?

Over the years, we have used documentation optimisation and customs-related support services, especially during periods of regulatory change. We have also made use of enhanced safety features, which at the time were offered as premium options, reinforcing driver and cargo security on critical routes.

What concrete improvements have you observed since implementation?

• Stable and predictable transit times on the Portugal–UK corridor;
• Reduced exposure to weather-related disruptions;
• Support in customs flows, particularly relevant after Brexit;
• Increased confidence in planning tight delivery windows for customers

Do you have a testimonial or feedback you'd be happy to share?

“Eurotunnel has been a key pillar of our Portugal–UK operations for over four decades. While not always the cheapest option upfront, its reliability, safety, and consistency make it one of the most cost-efficient solutions we use. It is one of the cornerstones of our commitment to on-time delivery.”

How would you summarise the overall benefits to your company from using LeShuttle Freight?

The collaboration with LeShuttle Freight has enabled Transportes Pascoal to build a reliable, resilient, and customer-focused Portugal–UK service over more than 40 years. By prioritising reliability and safety over short-term cost savings, we have consistently met our customers’ expectations, protected our operational performance, and maintained an outstanding on-time delivery record.