As European supply chains become increasingly complex, businesses moving goods to and from Spain and Portugal need more than a reliable transport provider. They need flexibility, specialist expertise and access to transport solutions that can adapt to changing commercial and operational requirements.

At Efret, we believe collaboration is the key. As part of GB Global, we work closely with our sister companies, KLOG and Ellerman City Liners, to offer an integrated range of road, rail, short-sea shipping and customs services across Iberia, the UK and mainland Europe.

Together, our complementary capabilities give customers greater choice, improved efficiency and access to a comprehensive European transport network.

Three specialists, one integrated network

Each business brings its own expertise, infrastructure and established customer relationships to the group.

Efret specialises in European road freight, providing full trailer load (FTL), express van and specialist transport services between Spain, Portugal and key markets including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium. Morocco and Poland. Our experience is particularly valuable in demanding sectors such as automotive and e-commerce, where reliability and operational flexibility are essential.

KLOG has an established presence in Portugal, with facilities in Maia and Alverca and a commercial operation in Barcelona. Alongside daily road freight, groupage and less-than-truckload (LTL) services, its expanding rail network connects Iberia with Poland, Italy and other European destinations.

Ellerman City Liners completes the picture with regular short-sea container shipping services linking Iberian ports, including Bilbao, Aveiro, Setúbal and Leixões, with the UK and Northern Europe. Its dedicated Bilbao service and streamlined operations through Aveiro are strengthening schedule reliability and connectivity across its network.

Individually, these businesses provide specialist transport services. Collectively, they offer something considerably more valuable: the ability to develop integrated, door-to-door logistics solutions using whichever combination of road, rail and sea best meets the customer's requirements.

Collaboration creates customer choice

One of the greatest advantages of operating within GB Global is that we are not restricted to promoting a particular mode of transport.

For example, a customer exporting goods from Portugal to the UK might require the speed and flexibility of road freight for time-critical deliveries, while short-sea shipping could provide a more economical alternative for regular bulk container movements.

Similarly, customers transporting goods between Iberia and Central or Eastern Europe can benefit from combining road freight with KLOG's developing rail connections.

By working together, we can evaluate these options and develop multimodal transport solutions that balance cost, transit times, reliability and sustainability.

Importantly, this approach also enables us to coordinate collection, international transport, customs clearance and final delivery, reducing complexity for customers managing cross-border supply chains.

Iberia: A gateway to wider markets

Spain and Portugal are strategically important to GB Global, both as established European trading markets and as gateways to international transport networks.

Portugal's Atlantic ports provide valuable maritime connections, while Spain plays a vital role in freight movements between Europe and North Africa.

This is particularly relevant to Efret's specialist Morocco transport services, where we work alongside KLOG's regional operations to coordinate freight moving through Spain into Morocco.

Our Morocco network also connects the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Benelux, Poland and Romania, supported by specialist customs expertise to help minimise delays at international borders.

Customs capabilities are equally important for trade between Iberia and the UK. Since Brexit, Efret has invested in a dedicated customs department.

Combining this expertise with our road, rail and maritime services means customers can benefit from coordinated transport and customs solutions within the same group.

Investing in the future of Iberian transport

Demand for flexible, multimodal freight solutions is growing as customers seek to improve supply chain resilience, manage costs and reduce environmental impact.

Across GB Global, we are responding by strengthening our individual services while developing closer operational collaboration.

At Efret, we are increasing the deployment of high-capacity mega trailers on Iberian routes, providing additional loading volume and improved transport efficiency. KLOG continues to develop its rail connections, while Ellerman City Liners is investing in dedicated shipping services and improved schedule reliability.

These investments are important individually, but their greatest value comes from how effectively we bring them together.

The future of European freight transport will increasingly depend on the ability to offer customers a choice of complementary services rather than a single transport solution.

For me, this is the real strength of GB Global. Efret, KLOG and Ellerman City Liners each retain their specialist knowledge, established networks and commitment to personal service, while benefiting from the resources and capabilities of the wider group.

"Our ambition is not simply to offer more transport options, but to make those options work together more effectively for our customers".

That is how we intend to strengthen our position across Iberia and deliver lasting value to businesses trading throughout Europe and beyond.

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