OSTEND, BELGIUM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / June 03, 2025 / With consumer behaviour across the globe being driven by ‘The Amazon Effect’ – an expectation for same or next-day delivery options at a competitive price – faster delivery times are becoming less of a choice for consumers, and more of an expectation.

To meet changing expectations for efficient deliveries, Europa Road Belgium has developed its operation in Belgium to offer market-leading accompanied (shipping cargo accompanied by a driver) road freight at a competitive price to Belgian businesses.

The European road freight specialist of pioneering, UK-headquartered, independent operator Europa Worldwide Group has had a presence in Belgium since 2018 with the acquisition of Continental Cargo Carriers (CCC) in Ostend.

Having rebranded to Europa Road in 2022, and opening its Rotterdam, Netherlands site in 2023, the company is now offering an accompanied service, due to an increased demand for faster transit times.

Mat Jobson, Regional Manager for Europa Road’s sites across the Benelux region, said: “According to Statista, by 2027 global online marketplaces will reach a value of $49.24bn (USD). This growth, driven by consumer demand for time-sensitive goods, has had a huge impact on global supply chains.

“Since we acquired CCC, the landscape for road freight has changed significantly. We’ve experienced a huge shift in consumer expectation, driven by a boom on online shopping during the Pandemic, followed by supply chain volatility because of global conflicts. Therefore, it was a priority for us to meet these changing expectations and adapt to facilitate a faster, more seamless service.

“Whether you are a Belgium-based raw material supplier, manufacturer or retailer, you need to get across the Channel quickly to stay competitive within your overseas markets.

“This is easily achieved using accompanied road freight, which is a secure option for time-sensitive deliveries. Because the driver is permanently with the cargo, any issues and delays can be addressed efficiently, reducing the risk of prolonged hold ups.

“With Europa, goods within either Belgium or Netherlands will be collected and delivered to its destination in Great Britain within one day, and the Republic of Ireland within two.”

Europa has developed its accompanied service to facilitate faster transit times and shorter supply chains, which will help foster productivity for its customers and help them build their brands in a competitive market. It marks the next step in Europa’s mission to constantly innovate to better support its customers with reduced transit times between the European Union (EU) and Great Britain since Brexit.

Europa recently boosted efficiency and cost-savings for its Benelux-based customers through the launch of its market-leading Free Carrier (FCA) clearance process. FCA Flow allows for full-loads travelling into Belgium and Netherlands to be cleared at Calais, removing the cost of T-Forms and allowing goods to travel directly to their final destination point, rather than diverting via a third-party clearance facility.

In addition to its service Europa Flow, a Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) product which takes care of customs administration on behalf of the exporter, Europa’s road freight operation capitalises on the existing operational, technological and customs infrastructures that the company has successfully put in place since Brexit. Europa Flow was launched for Belgian exporters in 2022.

The company is also one of the largest commercial users of high-speed Eurotunnel service, LeShuttle Freight, which offers a faster, more sustainable route to the UK and Ireland from central Europe. Making 2,600 accompanied journeys through the tunnel every month, more than 30,000 annually.