NewsThe latest from across the freight ferry industry

Issue One - Autumn 2010

Win with FreightlinkSee page 8

See page 6

See pages 4 & 5

Get VAT Savvy!

Investing in our I.T.

www.freightlink.co.uk

• Ferry bookings throughout Europe • Freight forwarding • VAT Reclamation • Road Tolls

Looking Good!Unveiling our great new website

Welcome to the latest edition of Freightlink News - our newsletter for information about the industry and us.

Learn more about our freight ferry products and services, put faces to names and keep up-to-date with special offers.

There’s an online version of Freightlink News at www.freightlink.co.uk and for a little more conversation, don’t forget to check out our latest blogs and tweets!

Changing our look...

COVER

Freightlink has refreshed its corporate identity with the launch of a new website making it easier for customers to place bookings and access services.

With growing online ticket purchases and increasing numbers of European clients, the website has been redesigned to make it more user-friendly.

The word ‘Solutions’ has been dropped from the company’s name while fresh corporate colours have been introduced. Easily identifiable website icons offer better signposting and our website is now available in Polish, with other languages to follow soon.

Freightlink was taken over by Mark Stephens and Phil Simpson in 2004. Since then, through continued commitment to

our customers, Freightlink’s portfolio has continued to grow month on month.

Mark explained: “The new branding combined with better online navigational tools and our commitment to offering the most competitive ferry tickets for routes throughout Europe, makes Freightlink a natural choice for all hauliers and couriers.

“The website is packed with useful information, special offers, competitions and the best freight ferry prices available.”

Happy reading!

Making it clearer, simpler and more efficient to use our services…

2|

Changing our look...

book online now at www.freightlink.co.uk |3

Courier of the Year – It could be YOU!Freightlink is once again sponsoring the Transport Exchange Group’s ‘Courier of the Year Award’.

Members of the Freightlink team will be among the guests at the 2010 Party and Awards night on Saturday November 20th at the Hilton Hotel in Coventry.

Don’t forget to pick up a Freightlink T-shirt at the event to be in with a chance of winning £50 worth of vouchers from Amazon or Marks & Spencer.

See back page for details.

The current freight ferry price war which has been raging for more than 12 months prompting falling prices is set to come to an end with the changing fortunes of major operators.

In August, LD Lines pulled out of Dover to Boulogne while the boss of P&O Ferries has openly spoken of major cost cutting with service reductions and job losses.

The future of SeaFrance continues to remain precarious with a recovery plan needed by the beginning of December to decide whether it remains under SNCF control, comes under new ownership or even closes.

Only Eurotunnel with its aggressive sales campaign and structured price offerings has experienced any growth.

Freightlink Director Phil Simpson explained: “It is widely known within the industry that the aggressive pricing policy embarked upon by the major operators determined

to grab what they could from a declining market share, was unsustainable.

“It couldn’t last forever even though it has been extremely beneficial to couriers and hauliers. It is very likely that the next six months will see the tide of price-cutting being over-turned and a strategy of rationalisation taking place.”

Between September 2005 and September 2008 freight volumes on the short sea ferry routes from Dover and Eurotunnel services from Folkestone were consistently and comfortably above

300,000 units per month.

Since the credit crunch, volumes have averaged to around 250,000 per month while the last 12 months has seen small growth of around 3.8 per cent.

Phil added: “It is quite clear that the Dover Straits remain in dire straits, and ferry operators are demonstratively unsure of what to do next.”

Dover Straits in Dire Straits

Freight ferry prices on Dover to France routes could soon

be rising in response to shrinking capacity across all major operators.

Are you new to Freightlink?Simply enter your details onto our new website and we’ll keep you posted about the latest news and special offers.

All new customer details, placed by December 31st 2010, will be entered into a prize draw to win £50 worth of Apple vouchers.

www.freightlink.co.uk/newHappy reading!

It is very likely that the next six months will see the tide of price-cutting being over-turned

The current freight ferry price war is set to come to an end..

1 Better route planning: real-time booking confirmations with major ferry operators

2 Easily identifiable website tools: quick links and filtering options

3 Time-saving profiles: Saved Journeys, Saved Vehicles

4 Useful ‘track and trace’ feature on all shipments

5 Convenient SMS messaging for all booking references

6 Latest news updates – traffic, sailings, ports, ferry operators

7 Knowledge Centre: ferry operators, routes, ports, sailings

8 24-hour, 365-day customer service

Freightlink offers clients an unrivalled range of services thanks to investments in new technology.Our new website delivers beneficial time-saving features with a fresh and contemporary design for easy navigation and online booking.

Improved signposting makes single, return and multi-route bookings much simpler and straightforward while bespoke Freight2Ferry© software generates immediate real-time booking confirmations.

Investing in Freight Ferry Booking Services

4| call us on 0844 847 9000

Freightlink is becoming a natural focal point for essential information and services to a time critical industry

Freight2Ferry© Software DevelopersOM2 is a leading software developer for the transport and logistics industries in the UK and Ireland.

With specialist sector experience, OM2 provides bespoke and ready-made back office, website and mobile software for a wide range of applications.

In partnership with Freightlink, OM2 created a unique software package called Freight2Ferry© – giving instant booking confirmations to customers.

Director of OM2, John McCaffery said: “Freightlink wanted to upgrade their back office system into the latest Microsoft software. It gives Freightlink a real-time link with major ferry operators, so bookings are confirmed immediately.”

For more information visit www.om2software.com or call 0870 145 21 21

25% discount for Freightlink customers

on our transport back office system.

Quote ref: freightlink252010

Includes free PDA software for 3 months

SPECIAL OFFER

©

At Freightlink we provide a simple and effective VAT recovery service for expenses incurred in the EU.

All you have to do is pop your receipts in an envelope to us every quarter, and we’ll do the rest!

We handle all elements of the process from lodging the claim to chasing funds and delivering payment. Progress can be monitored online, with 100% visibility.

Let us reclaim the VAT on your EU expenses. It’s easier than you think!

Who can claim?All VAT registered companies or individuals.

What can I claim back?• Fuel – including the

TIPP (3% fuel tax in France, Spain and Belgium)

• Accommodation & meals

• Telephone expenses• Car Hire• Vehicle repairs• Marketing• Trade fairs and

exhibitions

How long does it take?Between three and 12 months depending on the efficiency of EU member states.

How much does it cost?At Freightlink we charge a small commission for this service. Clients benefit from our expertise and experience in dealing with treasuries and ministries throughout Europe using a team of multi-lingual speakers.

How much can I expect to receive back per annum?Example cases:

• One Sprinter van on weekly European trips - €2,000

• One Artic on weekly runs to Belgium (fuel only, no tolls) – €8,750

• Four Artics on weekly runs to Belgium/France – €32,900

It could be the most rewarding five minutes you’ve ever spent – and all in the name of VAT!

It’s Your Money… Approx 80% of foreign VAT remains unclaimed

Our six steps to hassle-free EU VAT Recovery

EU VAT reclaim lodged

We chase funds

Claim accepted

EU VAT paid back to you

6|book online now at www.freightlink.co.uk

Claims filed online

VAT RECLAIM

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CAN YOU RISK PAYING

DOUBLE?

The Government’s VAT hike from January is likely to prompt more vigorous checking procedures from HMRC inspectors to ensure freight vehicles are travelling on the appropriate commercial tariffs.

VAT will rise to 20 per cent in 2011 and pressure for resources on all Government departments is likely to prompt tighter regulation over freight ferry bookings.

If hauliers or couriers arrive at the port with the wrong ticket they risk having to buy a new ticket on standard commercial rates - which are sometimes more than double the cost of discounted pre-booked tariffs.

Freightlink’s Operations Manager, Lee Rossall said: “We already know of one ferry operator which recently received a fine from HMRC for shipping vans on passenger tickets. Our advice to customers is, make sure you’re travelling on a freight ticket even if your vehicle is empty.

“If you are not travelling on the right tariff, ultimately you will be asked to buy a new ticket on standard commercial rates, which could be very costly compared to Freightlink’s discounted year round offering.”

Freight carriers are likely to see greater vigilance at UK ports next year to check they are not travelling on tax-free passenger tickets.

Courier Exchange and Haulage Exchange are celebrating 10 years of helping drivers, couriers and freight-forwarders sub-contract courier jobs and find empty vehicles for deliveries in the UK and mainland Europe.

With more than 2,500 members, these online forums help couriers, hauliers and owner-drivers buy and sell deliveries for maximum efficiency and profitability.

Freightlink has been in partnership with Courier Exchange and Haulage Exchange for the last three years and members receive 10 per cent discount on all freight ferry bookings with Freightlink.

Making your Business work harder

Our six steps to hassle-free EU VAT Recovery

www.courierexchange.co.uk www.haulageexchange.co.uk

Member benefits:• User-friendly websites to post jobs and provide availability• Accreditation Checks• Feedback system• Interactive maps• Enhanced directory listings (including vehicle and specialist service searches)• Instant messaging system• Complaint handling• Personal account management.

|7

Anna DrzewieckaEastern European Business Development Executive

Responsibilities: Anna deals with Freightlink’s Polish and Eastern European client base of more than 150 companies, managing sales, accounts, market research, credit control and translations. Anna makes several business trips a year to meet clients and attends industry conferences.

Anna explained: “Our Eastern European clients appreciate Freightlink’s high levels of customer service and competitive prices.

“I am responsible for raising brand awareness and encouraging more companies in Poland and Eastern Europe to use Freightlink.”

Anna studied Social Sciences and Business Management at Katowice University, Poland.

Fiona MartinOperations Team Leader

Responsibilities: Fiona leads Freightlink’s Customer Services Team. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and has considerable expertise in handling complex multi-route bookings.

Fiona also oversees Freightlink’s online presence via its website, Twitter and Facebook pages, posting regular updates about industry news and real-time information on sailing schedules, ports and traffic.

Fiona explained: “Freightlink acts as the eyes and ears of our customers, monitoring the hundreds of ferry routes throughout Europe and all roads leading to them.”

Fiona graduated from the University of Glasgow. She is a devoted Blackpool FC fan, and is Vice Chairman of the Blackpool Supporters Association.

Freightlink Who’s Who

8|call us on 0844 847 9000

All you have to do is wear it and snap it! Freightlink has launched a stylish t-shirt to celebrate its new corporate branding.Email a picture of you togged out in a new Freightlink t-shirt anywhere in the world and each month the best picture will receive £50 worth of vouchers from either Amazon or Marks & Spencers.

To take part:For starters, to get hold of a free t-shirt, simply email us (see email address below) or pick one up at the forthcoming Transport Exchange Group event on 20th November.

Then, send your pictures with your full name and contact details plus where the picture was taken.

competition@freightlink.co.ukThe first winner will be announced in the month of December and the best snaps will be featured in the next edition of Freightlink News.

Dress to Impress with Freightlink!

* Please note there is no cash alternative. Full terms and conditions apply.

It’s the new

season must-

have – and

it could win

you £50 in

vouchers!