2024 European RFT Ranking

After the significant decline in 2023, European road freight transport saw a slight increase of +0.6% in 2024. Both domestic and international transport experienced moderate growth overall. With an increase of +0.8%, domestic transport performed better than international transport, which saw +0.3%. Most international sub-sectors showed positive results, with the exception of bilateral transport, which declined by -1.4% in 2024, following a negative result in 2023 (-4.5%). Cross-trade transport and cabotage, therefore, drove international growth, indicating the increasing europeanization of road freight transport. Two flag holders, Polish and Lithuanian, account for more than 58% of cross-trade transport and cabotage in Europe. Two major European road freight carriers, Germany and Poland, are experiencing a slowdown.

In 2024, Western European carriers are performing better than those of the new member states (NMS). Two explanations are possible. The war in Ukraine is having a more profound impact on Eastern European carriers. These carriers are also seeing their competitive advantage erode due to a significant increase in costs, particularly social costs, as shown by CNR’s country studies.

With Europe's economic engine having shifted southward, the strong performance of Spain and Italy is not surprising. The French sector also had a good year (+2.8%). In Eastern Europe, the Polish leader may have reached its limits several years ago.