ROAD TRANSPORT IN CRISIS
An essential link in the international logistics chain, road transport is currently facing a complex situation that is putting more and more companies in difficulty.
AN ONGOING SITUATION
Road transport is generally used for last-mile deliveries in the pre- and post-carriage stages, but it can also be used for the entire journey, depending on the point of departure and arrival. For several months now, this massively used means of transport has been faced with a number of difficulties that are becoming increasingly complicated to deal with:
- Rising operating and fuel costs
- General fall in demand
- Competition from Eastern European countries
Not to mention the shortage of drivers and the various hazards that the sector has to contend with head-on: industrial action leading to blockages on the roads or in the ports, or bad weather.
Added to this are the sector’s decarbonisation objectives, with a 55% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 at European level and carbon neutrality by 2050 in line with the Paris Agreement. This will require road transport companies to bring their fleets into line with these targets within a given timeframe, by acquiring sustainably fueled or electric heavy goods vehicles.
UNION TLF ALERTS
In a recent report, the TLF union stated that over 600 companies declared themselves to be on the verge of bankruptcy in 2024, an increase of 45% over one year. This crisis mainly affects small businesses. As a result, we are seeing closures or, in some cases, takeovers by larger groups when it is still possible to improve the economic and commercial situation.
Union TLF is calling for measures to be included in the Finance Bill, such as lower taxes and continued public support for the greening of truck fleets.
The Balguerie Group teams are closely monitoring the situation of our road partners to ensure that there is no impact on your activities, and are also proposing alternative solutions, where possible, in line with your expectations.
