Eurotunnel’s parent company has acquired the company which runs a major service station on the M20 motorway.

Getlink has taken over ChannelPorts Ltd in a bid to simplify cross-Channel trade.

ChannelPort’s primary business is as the leading British customs intermediary. Formed in 1974, it employs 44 staff and has revenues of around £10 million. It also owns, and is based at, Stop24 - the service station on the M20 close to the Channel Tunnel entrance.

ChannelPorts carries out the “customs formalities” which have become compulsory since Brexit, on behalf of its hauliers, logistics and forwarding customers.

It will now be integrated into Getlink’s Sherpass - its own digital platform to make border crossings easier for its customers.

Yann Leriche, CEO of Getlink, said: “Administrative procedures involved in crossing the border post-Brexit have made the business of cross-Channel hauliers more complex.

“Our aim is to accompany our freight customers by developing a comprehensive range of services to help them with customs clearance. The acquisition of ChannelPorts strengthens the group’s portfolio of smart border solutions.”

Getlink added the acquisition of Stop24 “completes the range of secure solutions for truck drivers already available on the French side by Eurotunnel’s Le Truck Village”.