Eurotunnel withdraws legal claim against post-Brexit ferry contracts

Eurotunnel has withdrawn its legal claim against the Department for Transport over post-Brexit ferry contracts after reaching an agreement worth up to £33 million, the Government has said.

The firm, which operates the Channel Tunnel, was challenging the department’s decision to award contracts worth £108 million to three ferry companies at the High Court.

But on Friday the Government announced a deal with Eurotunnel to “deliver improvements which will ensure the Channel Tunnel is ready to continue to keep passengers and freight moving post-Brexit” such as better security and traffic flow at the border.

This will protect the “vital freight capacity” purchased from ferry operators to help ensure the continued supply of “crucial medicines, medical supplies and veterinary medicines in a no-deal scenario”, the Government statement said.