The road freight sector in Europe endured another year of weak growth and anaemic profits, according to the latest market report from Transport Intelligence, ‘European Road Freight Transport 2014.’
Overall the road freight industry experienced growth of just 1% in 2013, created by the impact of stagnation in the Eurozone. Only markets in Central and Eastern Europe prospered, with Poland, the largest market in the region growing by 5.8%.
The United Kingdom was the best performing of the larger markets in Western Europe, with growth of 2.0% mostly derived from its economic recovery.
Across Europe operating margins remained low, hampered by the weak freight volumes which, according to analysis contained in the report, are the biggest single influence on profitability. Across a range of markets, UK hauliers had the best margins.
