Shipping a trailer across the English Channel

A number of ferry operators offer bookings on their ferries for unaccompanied trailers. Ferry operator’s duty is to bring the unaccompanied trailer to and from the ship. Tasks on the carrier’s side are delivering the trailer to the port and picking it up.

The procedure of shipping a trailer may differ depending on the port of departure, destination port and ferry operator. Check out the article below and you will find useful information on how to send a trailer across the English Channel on Calais – Dover and Dunkerque – Dover routes with DFDS Seaways.

If you are interested in shipping your trailer by ferry between Poland and Sweden, check out the article about it HERE.

The port of Calais

Dropping trailers in Calais

After arrival to the port of Calais, follow signs to INTERMODAL TERMINAL.

Once the booking is made, there are reference and PIN number generated along with it. On of those two numbers must be presented at the UTP control gate, which is located inside the intermodal terminal.

The gate supervisor may ask for transport documentation. If there is no documentation, access to the terminal is not granted.

The next step is to drop the trailer at the assigned spot at the UTP parking.

Collecting trailers in Calais

After arrival to the port of Calais, follow signs to INTERMODAL TERMINAL.

Drive to the UTP control gate, where the gate supervisor asks for booking reference number or PIN number, that the trailer was shipped with.

Collect your trailer from the parking lot. If you notice any damages that didn’t exist before the crossing, please advise the gate supervisor and contact the DFDS Driver Reception Building on 0033(0) 391 904 292. Please remember to do it before coupling the trailer.

The port of Dunkerque

Dropping trailers in Dunkerque

After arriving to the port of Dunkerque, follow FAST LANE/UNACC signs and head to the freight office.

Damage report is completed and driver gets the copy of it. If trailer is loaded, transport documentation must be presented to DFDS personnel.

After going through the security, the trailer must be taken to the Unaccompanied Trailer Park (UTP), where it waits for the departure.

Collecting trailers in Dunkerque

After arriving to the port of Dunkerque, follow FAST LANE/UNACC signs and head to the freight office.

At the freight office, paperwork including damage report and other documentation will be provided.

Once you get the documents, you will be directed to the UTP parking to collect the trailer.

If you notice that the trailer has damages that were made during the crossing, please advise the DFDS Team Supervisor at 0033(0) 328 289 537 before coupling the trailer.

The port of Dover

Dropping trailers in Dover

On arrival to the port, follow the PASS HOLDERS route, which takes you to the Driver’s Reception Building (DRB). Do not follow the route to check-in, or the driver may be asked to exit and return via pass holders lane.

When you enter the DRB, the visual inspection and damage report are done.

If the trailer is loaded, it is necessary to present transport documentation to the staff member. After that you can go to the UTP parking where trailers are dropped.

When you arrive to the UTP control gate, press DFDS button and the staff will grant the access to the parking. If the driver shows up without the damage report, the access will be denied and the driver will have to go back to the DRB.

Collecting trailers in Dover

Before you collect your trailer in the port of Dover, a request note must be sent to DFDS e-mail address.

Once you arrive at the port, use PASS HOLDERS lane and head to the Driver’s Reception Building (DRB). Go to the DFDS desk and request to collect your trailer. The staff is obligated to give all documentation, damage report included.

In the next step, the driver is directed to the UTP parking lot, where the trailer waits.

If you notice any damage, that was made during the crossing, please contact the DFDS Team Supervisor at 0044 1304 874021 before coupling the trailer.

Shipping a trailer with hazardous load

Once booking number is generated, Dangerous Goods Note must be sent for pre-advising, so it can be assessed if the load is adequate for the crossing.

Booking a crossing for trailer with hazardous cargo must be done 24 hours prior to planned time of the crossing.

Trailers loaded with dangerous goods cannot be left in the UTP parking for longer than 12 hours.

Please remember that trailers with hazardous cargo, which arrive to Dover on Friday, they will be shipped to Dunkerque due to standing charges in Calais port, if the trailer is not collected over the weekend.

Good to remember

• Trailer must have four lashing points and the load in it must be secure.

• Trailers cannot stay in the Unaccompanied Trailer Park for more than 24 hours. Trailers with hazardous load cannot stay in the Unaccompanied Trailer Park for more than 12 hours. If the given time is exceed, charges will be sued by the port authority.

• Sport for unaccompanied shipments are limited to 3-4 per sailing. Trailers are shipped on the first available sailing, once they are dropped at the UTP.

• If the trailer is loaded, transport documentation has to be presented to the DFDS staff, including CMR and DGN, if applicable.