Eurotunnel boosted sales by 16% to £700 million last year.

Performing well despite tough economic conditions and fierce cross-Channel price wars, the Channel Tunnel operator reported today that almost 19 million people and 17.7 million tonnes of freight were carried through the tunnel in 2011.

Shuttle business was up 10%, while Eurostar carried 9.7m passengers, up 2% amd just shy of its 10m target.

The service carried 2.2m cars (up 6%), 1.2m trucks (up 16%) and 56,000 coaches (down 1%). In the last three months of 2011, 344,700 trucks (up 13%), 509,000 cars (up 12%) and 13,100 coaches (up 3%) were carried. Business was boosted by the problems at SeaFrance which suspended its service in November and collapsed into liquidation this month. (Jan).

Rail freight enjoyed a big boost, with the number of trains up 14% and tonnage up 17%

Jacques Gounon, chairman and chief executive, said: "In a difficult economic context, Groupe Eurotunnel has had a very good year. Our commitment to rail freight is bearing fruit. The group is well prepared to seize the opportunities which arise during 2012."