With five roll-on, roll off berths, six destinations on the continent and also a lifeline freight link to the Channel Islands, Portsmouth is ideally equipped for ro-ro freight.

More information for hauliers, regarding parking, abnormal loads and import/export procedures can be found here.

Freight destinations

Bilbao

Arriving at the Basque country port of Bilbao in northern Spain, freight drivers are in a prime position for onward travel throughout southern and central Europe:

• Only 60 miles from the French border
• Four hours from Madrid on the AP 68 and A1 motorways.
• Six hours from Barcelona, eight hours from Alicante and twelve hours from Milan.

The 24-hour ferry crossing from Portsmouth International Port allows freight drivers plenty of opportunity to recuperate and arrive in Bilbao refreshed and ready for their onward journey.

Santander

Arriving at the port of Santander in the Cantabria region of northern Spain, freight drivers are perfectly positioned for onward travel throughout southern and central Europe:

• 5 hours from Madrid on the A61 motorway
• Seven hours from Barcelona, eight hours from Alicante and Lisbon and thirteen hours from Milan.

The 24-hour ferry crossing from Portsmouth International Port allows freight drivers plenty of opportunity to recuperate and arrive in Santander refreshed and ready for their onward journey.

Caen

Arriving at the port of Caen in northern France, freight drivers are perfectly positioned for onward travel throughout Europe:

• Caen offers easy access throughout Normandy
• Just over two hours from Paris on the A13 motorway
• Heading down the west coast, Poitiers is a four hour drive away, Bordeaux six hours, Geneva and Frankfurt seven hours and Milan ten hours.

Sailing by day or night, freight drivers taking a ferry crossing to northern France from Portsmouth International Port have ample time to rest on board, arriving in Caen refreshed ready for their onward journey.

Le Havre

Arriving at the port of Le Havre in northern France, freight drivers are perfectly positioned for onward travel throughout Europe:

• Le Havre offers easy access throughout Normandy
• Two hours from Paris, it is the closest port to the French capital
• Heading south, Lyon is a six hour drive away, Geneva and Frankfurt seven hours, Marseille nine hours and Milan ten hours.

The overnight freight crossing to Le Harve from Portsmouth International Port gives freight drivers ample time for a meal and a good night’s sleep before the next stage of their journey.

St Malo

Arriving at the port of St Malo in Brittany, freight drivers are perfectly positioned for onward travel throughout Europe:

• St Malo offers good access to both Normandy and Brittany.
• Four hours from Paris on the A13 motorway
• Heading down the west coast, Nantes is a two hour drive away, Bordeaux five hours, Barcelona 11 hours and Milan twelve 12 hours.

The freight crossing to St Malo allows freight drivers ample time to prepare for the next stage of their journey.

Jersey

Arriving in the Channel Island port of St Helier, freight drivers are in the capital of Jersey, an island ten miles long and six miles wide.

There is a good network of ‘A’ roads radiating across the island, but no motorways. The island has a maximum speed limit of 40 mph/64 kmh. Although Jersey, is far closer to France than the UK, it is self governing and loyal to the British crown.

In the Channel Islands, vehicles drive on the left as in Britain and road signs are written in English and French.

Guernsey

Arriving in the Channel Island port of St Peter Port, freight drivers are in the capital of Guernsey, an island nine miles long and three miles wide.

There is a rural road network on the island where the maximum speed limit is 35 mph/56 kmh.

Although Guernsey is far closer to France than the UK, it is self governing and loyal to the British crown.

In the Channel Islands, vehicles drive on the left as in Britain and road signs are written in English and French.

Isle of Wight

Departing from Wightlink’s dedicated terminal near Gunwharf Quays, ferries are bound for the the port of Fishbourne on the north east coast of the of the Isle of Wight between Cowes and Ryde, freight drivers will find easy access to the rest of the island.

For convenience, Wightlink and Portsmouth International Port  have teamed up to offer a drop-trailer service. By arrangement, lorry drivers delivering to the Isle of Wight can drop off their trailers securely at Portsmouth International Port, at the entrance to the city, just off the M275.

They will then be moved to Wightlink’s car ferry terminal in Gunwharf Road for later shipment. Island-based freight companies taking goods to the mainland can also leave their trailers at Portsmouth International Port, and return to base on the next available sailing.

Contact Wightlink on 023 9285 5260 for further information.