Eng
Data from the report Transport in Europe – Trends, Data, Analyses 2/2025, published by the Polish Road Transport Institute (PITD), indicates a persistent weak economic climate in Europe. Despite an increase in spot freight traffic and higher freight rates, lack of stable demand and shortage of carriers are tying up the market.
ESI indicators for the European Union and the European zone still remain well below the optimistic threshold. In April, among the seven countries analysed by the Institute, only Spain and Poland crossed the optimistic threshold.
According to PMI indicators, only Poland has exceeded the 50-point threshold three times this year, in February, March and April. The Netherlands and Spain managed to do so only once, in February and January respectively.
Slower growth in Germany, France and the UK means lower export volumes, fewer contracts and increased pricing pressure, especially for carriers from Central and Eastern Europe. Markets such as Spain, Poland and the Netherlands show higher economic macro indicators and stable demand.
There is a clear trend towards reshaping European supply chains. Market participants are increasingly less inclined to consider companies from other EU member states as partners. New transport routes are being explored, both Asian lines and extended European north-south links. The Balkans and Türkiye have become key alternatives.
The PITD report states that as intermodal networks are developing, road transport will increasingly be limited to shorter distances rather than long transcontinental routes.
The main trends to shape the development of European transport in 2025:
- Reduced export orders from Germany and Italy, which have historically been the engines of EU trade: both countries have faced declining industrial demand and falling export activity.
- Growing importance of Poland and Spain: strong macroeconomic indicators and stable demand make their markets for the TSL sector expand.
- Diversification of routes and markets: carriers and logistics companies are being forced to develop new geographic regions to reduce their dependence on a stagnant economy.
- Growing importance of short-distance transport: intermodal logistics is redefining the role of road transport, which is currently increasingly limited to deliveries over distances of 100-200 km.
Source: trans.info