The Spanish road freight transport - 2023
This new CNR study dedicated to Spanish RFT highlights major developments in road transport. Royal Decree-Law 3/2022 introduces new regulations on loading and unloading in Spain. Since September 1, 2022, drivers working in Spain are no longer permitted to intervene in loading and unloading operations. Compensation for the transport company for waiting times exceeding one hour is also provided for. In addition, the Royal Decree makes diesel indexation mandatory.
These changes are taken into account in the CNR evaluations of Spanish road transport costs internationally.
Another unique feature of the Spanish RFT sector is the multiple collective agreements existing across the country. A total of 55 collective agreements have been identified, equivalent to one collective agreement per province. Of these 55 provincial collective agreements, 42 are currently in force. Depending on the applicable collective agreement, wage gaps are very significant from one province to another. The gross annual salary of a driver will increase in 2023 from 30,153 € per year in Asturias to 12,244 € per year in the province of Ourense (Galicia), more than double. Due to these significant disparities, the CNR focused its analysis on two autonomous communities: the Basque Country and Catalonia. Two reasons explain this choice: their geographical proximity to France and their intense competition with the French flag.
As part of the monitoring of operating costs, the cost of drivers has increased in Catalonia since 2020, going from 41,565 €/year to 44,736 €/year, representing an inflation of +7.6% in 3 years. This is explained by an increase in the legal minimum wages for both gross wages and travel allowances. Newly, the CNR is also studying the cost of a driver in the Basque Country (province of Biscay). This is higher than in Catalonia, at 51,310 €/year. Fuel costs increased by nearly 39% in 2023 compared to 2020, mainly due to a surge in energy prices caused by the crisis in Ukraine. Tires are also affected, up 47%, and the cost of vehicle ownership, up 22% compared to 2020.
Ultimately, according to the CNR's calculations, the cost per kilometer of a 40-ton Spanish heavy goods vehicle operated by a Catalan carrier operating long-distance internationally is €1.10/km, compared to €1.25/km for Basque transport. This difference is explained by the higher cost of drivers in the Basque Country than in Catalonia.