Freight is providing the dominant force in shortsea ferry trades with an 84% rise through Dover in the past ten years while tourist car traffic has declined by 13% according to SeaFrance managing director Robin Wilkins. Demand has been such that estimates suggest truck volumes through Dover could exceed cars within two years. Europe's ferries face a serious threat from low cost airlines and, in some areas, from EU enlargement, which has pitched local lorry operators into a battle that has seen up to 40% of cargo volume shift from sea to road.