Poland Road Freight Transport Market Size and Share
Market Overview
| Study Period | 2017 - 2030 |
|---|---|
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 33.40 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 38.05 Billion |
| Growth Rate (2025 - 2030) | 2.64% CAGR |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. |
|
Poland Road Freight Transport Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The Poland road freight transport market size stands at USD 33.40 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 38.05 billion by 2030, translating into a 2.64% CAGR between 2025-2030. Rising cross-border trade with Germany, the completion of critical Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) links, and robust infrastructure spending underpin steady value expansion. Growth also reflects Poland’s shift from a cost-arbitrage trucking base toward a sophisticated intermodal gateway that channels Western European supply chains into Eastern markets. Demand continues to tilt toward international lanes, while digital freight platforms lift back-haul utilization and encourage scale efficiencies for carriers. E-commerce fulfillment, export-led manufacturing, and low-emission zone regulations further influence fleet-mix decisions, spurring investments in electric and temperature-controlled trucks. Competitive pressures stem from driver shortages, fuel-price swings, and stricter European Union (EU) mobility rules that raise compliance costs yet reward well-capitalized operators.
Key Report Takeaways
- By end user industry, manufacturing led with 31.17% of the Poland road freight transport market share in 2024, while wholesale & retail trade is projected to widen at a 3.04% CAGR between 2025-2030.
- By destination, international freight commanded 72.24% of the Poland road freight transport market size in 2024 and is forecast to expand at a 2.79% CAGR between 2025-2030.
- By truckload specification, full-truck-load held 83.12% of the revenue share in 2024, whereas less-than-truck-load is advancing at a 2.96% CAGR over 2025-2030.
- By containerization, non-containerized freight captured 95.66% of the revenue share in 2024; containerized cargo is growing at a 2.70% CAGR between 2025-2030.
- By distance, long-haul services accounted for 72.15% of the revenue share in 2024 and are increasing at a 2.91% CAGR between 2025-2030.
- By goods configuration, solid goods dominated with 70.99% share of the revenue share in 2024, while fluid goods are set to rise at a 2.84% CAGR during 2025-2030.
- By temperature control, non-temperature-controlled freight secured 92.54% of the revenue share in 2024; the temperature-controlled segment is expanding at a 2.91% CAGR between 2025-2030.
Poland Road Freight Transport Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large public road-infrastructure outlays (2025-30) | +0.8% | National, with concentration in TEN-T corridors | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| EU Mobility Package phase-in raises cross-border demand visibility | +0.4% | International corridors, Germany-Poland routes | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Export-led manufacturing surge reshapes east–west truck flows | +0.6% | Western border regions, Silesia industrial zones | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Fleet electrification incentives cut total cost of ownership | +0.3% | Urban areas, major logistics hubs | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Booming cold-chain pharma and meat exports needing GDP-compliant reefers | +0.5% | National, with export gateway concentration | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Digital freight marketplaces accelerating back-haul utilization | +0.4% | National, with higher adoption in western regions | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Large Public Road-Infrastructure Outlays Drive Network Modernization
Poland is investing PLN 290 billion (USD 64.4 billion) in national road construction through 2030, the country’s largest ever program. More than 8,000 km of new or upgraded roads, including the S3 north–south expressway and Via Baltica (S61), will ease bottlenecks, shorten transit times and redirect volumes onto high-capacity corridors. Early completions are already absorbing east-west traffic that grew 7.8% annually during 2019-2024. The improvements bolster the Poland road freight transport market by lowering operating costs and enabling higher truck utilization rates. Expressway quality facilitates predictable time-windows, a key requirement for automotive and just-in-time supply chains. Capacity gains also encourage modal shift from secondary roads, concentrating demand on carriers equipped for long-haul operations[1]“Prime Minister: at PLN 290 billion, it is the largest road construction programme in Poland's history,” Chancellery of the Prime Minister, gov.pl.
EU Mobility Package Implementation Reshapes Cross-Border Operations
The EU Mobility Package introduces return-to-base and cabotage rules, plus smart tachograph mandates that heighten compliance burdens for Polish fleets. Larger firms that invest in telematics can meet record-keeping duties and secure cross-border work at higher margins, while smaller carriers face administrative costs that pressure profits. Digital visibility over driver postings improves lane planning and reduces empty miles, supporting the Poland road freight transport market by making international services more transparent. However, penalty risks for non-compliance raise barriers to entry and accelerate consolidation as SMEs seek partnerships or sales to bigger groups with established governance tools[2]“Ogromne dofinansowanie z programu CEF Transport 2025 dla Polski,” Centre for EU Transport Projects, cupt.gov.pl.
Export-Led Manufacturing Surge Transforms East-West Freight Flows
Germany became Poland’s top trading partner in 2024, shipping EUR 94 billion (USD 103.74) of goods eastward and drawing EUR 78.3 billion (USD 86.41 billion) of imports westward. Component inflows and finished-goods outflows drive bidirectional truck demand, especially on automotive lanes where Volkswagen and Mercedes passenger-car registrations in Poland climbed 13% and 35% respectively in 2024. The resulting freight asymmetry influences pricing, with carriers charging premiums on return trips facing capacity imbalances. Domestic truck production rose 13.8% in January–August 2024 to 225,047 units, expanding fleets to keep pace with manufacturing export commitments. These forces reinforce the Poland road freight transport market’s pivot from cost-driven outsourcing toward proximity-based, time-sensitive regional supply chains.
Fleet Electrification Incentives Accelerate Total Cost of Ownership Benefits
EU Connecting Europe Facility grants earmark charging-station funds along Polish TEN-T corridors, encouraging operators to trial battery-electric trucks. Early adopters report 30-40% lower operating expenses on urban and regional routes under 300 km once capital incentives are counted. Warsaw’s low-emission zone, enforced since July 2024, fines non-Euro 6 vehicles PLN 500 (USD 126.91) per entry, nudging fleet managers toward alternative drivetrains. Kraków plans similar rules from January 2026, broadening the market for zero-emission trucks. While range constraints limit nationwide rollout, electrification is removing diesel price uncertainty for city deliveries, a trend that supports cost stability across the Poland road freight transport market.
Restraints Impact Analysis
| Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structural driver shortage and ageing workforce | -0.6% | National, acute in eastern regions | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Volatile diesel and AdBlue input costs | -0.4% | National, higher impact on long-haul operations | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Cyber-attacks on freight tech platforms exposing operational risk | -0.2% | National, concentrated in digitalized operations | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Urban low-emission zones raising last-mile compliance costs | -0.3% | Major cities, Warsaw and Krakow priority | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Structural Driver Shortage Constrains Capacity Growth
Roughly 15% of Polish truck seats remain unfilled as the average driver age surpasses 50 years. Wage hikes of 15-20% per annum have failed to attract enough new entrants, especially in the east where western carriers recruit aggressively. EU work-time rules further tighten available hours, restricting fleet output despite additional tractors. Long-haul lanes suffer the most because experience premiums inflate labor costs, eroding small-fleet margins. Capacity tightness may cap the Poland road freight transport market’s growth potential until automation or immigration policies ease the shortage[3]“Motor Vehicle Production & combustion engines for vehicles in Poland in AUGUST 2024,” Polish Association of Automotive Industry, pzpm.org.pl.
Volatile Diesel and AdBlue Input Costs Create Operational Uncertainty
Diesel trades between PLN 5.9–6.1 (USD 1.49 - 1.54) per liter in 2025, accounting for up to 30% of operating expenses. AdBlue price swings amplify cost risk yet contract structures delay pass-through, compressing margins for carriers lacking hedging tools. Exchange-rate moves and geopolitical tensions add unpredictability. Large fleets negotiate supply contracts and deploy telematics to optimize fuel usage, whereas SMEs absorb shocks directly, sometimes exiting the Poland road freight transport market during prolonged spikes. Fuel variability therefore shapes pricing tactics and investment decisions across the sector[4]“Budowa dróg – sztafeta rozłożona na lata,” General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways, gov.pl.
Segment Analysis
By End User Industry: Manufacturing Anchors Cross-Border Flows
Manufacturing captured 31.17% of the Poland road freight transport market size in 2024, reflecting persistent automotive, electronics and chemicals outbound demand. The segment relies on predictable transit schedules that suit full-truck-load strategies, reinforcing high asset utilization. Cross-border shipments into Germany generate revenue density, while inbound components often move under time-definite contracts that command premium rates. Wholesale and retail trade, the fastest-growing end-user at 3.04% CAGR between 2025-2030, feeds e-commerce parcel networks and nearshoring inventories positioned near consumers.
The construction industry benefits from PLN 290 billion (USD 73.60 billion) of road upgrades that require bulk materials, though volumes fluctuate with project cycles. Agriculture, fishing, and forestry produce seasonal peaks during harvest, pushing corridor capacity tight each summer. Oil and gas, mining and quarrying face slower growth as energy transition policies suppress fossil-fuel logistics. Digital freight platforms now match disparate loads across these industries, raising back-haul fill rates from 60% to more than 75% on major lanes, which lifts profitability for carriers active in the Poland road freight transport market.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By Destination: International Lanes Dominate Revenue Mix
International services owned 72.24% of the Poland road freight transport market size in 2024 and are set to advance at 2.79% CAGR between 2025-2030. German–Polish corridors handle the bulk of this traffic, leveraging open-border procedures and synchronized customs technologies. Higher revenue per kilometer on export lanes offsets empty-leg exposure, especially for fleets that coordinate reloads through digital exchanges. Border infrastructure improvements cut dwell times, enhancing truck turns and lowering inventory costs for shippers.
Domestic transport supports regional distribution and infrastructure projects yet must compete with rail on longer inland hauls. Urban congestion, low-emission fees and rising driver wages raise operating costs for local carriers. E-commerce growth nonetheless provides metropolitan LTL and parcel opportunities as consumers demand next-day fulfillment. Carriers that blend domestic last-mile routes with international trunk legs unlock network synergies that strengthen their foothold in the Poland road freight transport market.
By Truckload Specification: FTL Retains Efficiency Advantage
Full-truck-load kept 83.12% share in 2024 due to dense automotive, machinery and consumer-goods consignments that fit dedicated trailers. FTL operators enjoy simplified scheduling, minimal handling risk and predictable cost structures, attributes prized by export-oriented manufacturers. Long-term contracts insulate fleets from spot-market volatility and underpin investment in modern tractors that meet Euro VI or electric standards.
Less-than-truck-load expands at 2.96% CAGR between 2025-2030 as platform algorithms consolidate small shipments, improving cube utilization and shortening lead times. GEODIS’s mid-2024 purchase of PEKAES added 20 Polish branches and three rail terminals, signaling confidence in LTL growth prospects. By pairing pallet networks with intermodal legs, LTL players can undercut parcel carriers and capture SME export volumes, thereby broadening service portfolios across the Poland road freight transport market.
By Containerization: Non-Containerized Loads Prevail
Non-containerized freight represented 95.66% of shipments in 2024, mirroring demand for flatbeds, tautliners and reefers that handle automotive parts, construction inputs and perishables. Direct loading reduces trans-shipment costs and suits point-to-point delivery timetables. High trailer flexibility aligns with diversified cargo mixes, sustaining dominance within the Poland road freight transport market.
Containerized volumes rise at a 2.70% CAGR between 2025-2030 as logistics parks add rail spurs that link to Baltic seaports. Intermodal containers gain share on long routes where rail legs cut emissions and fuel exposure. Still, specialized freight types such as temperature-controlled and high-value components often bypass standard boxes, holding overall container penetration below 5% of total road tonnage.
By Distance: Long Haul Captures Premium Margins
Long-haul routes, covering more than 300 km, commanded 72.15% of the Poland road freight transport market size in 2024 and are growing at 2.91% CAGR between 2025-2030. Cross-border contracts favor these lanes, offsetting toll charges with higher freight rates. Smart tachographs optimize driver shift planning, easing compliance with rest regulations and boosting asset turns.
Short-haul services supply urban fulfillment centers and construction sites but contend with congestion and low-emission fees. Electric rigid trucks begin to find niches in city distribution, trimming fuel risk. Yet driver scarcity hits short routes hardest as operators must finance higher wages for unattractive stop-and-go schedules, affecting profitability in this slice of the Poland road freight transport market.
By Goods Configuration: Solid Goods Drive Volume
Solid goods accounted for 70.99% of revenues in 2024, a figure tied to Poland’s industrial output and consumer-goods flows. Dry-van and curtain-sider trailers offer operating simplicity, supporting high fleet turnover. Construction aggregates add volume swings during peak building months, requiring flexible capacity planning from carriers.
Fluid goods, growing at 2.84% CAGR between 2025-2030, rely on specialized tankers meeting hazardous-materials codes. Chemical hubs in Silesia and fuel distribution networks sustain steady demand despite the energy transition. Certification requirements limit market entry, allowing incumbents to command above-average yields within the Poland road freight transport market.
By Temperature Control: Cold Chain Commands Premium Pricing
Non-temperature-controlled cargo held 92.54% share in 2024, benefitting from standard equipment and lower capital outlays. However, temperature-controlled freight’s 2.91% CAGR between 2025-2030 reflects pharmaceutical and meat export momentum. Raben Group invests in GDP-compliant reefers, with Polish operations representing 44% of its network capacity a sign of growing cold-chain sophistication.
Higher service levels justify premium tariffs that offset smaller shipment sizes, enhancing revenue diversity for fleets active in the Poland road freight transport market.
Geography Analysis
Poland’s 312,685 km² landmass straddles Germany’s manufacturing belt and Eastern Europe’s emerging economies, making it a bridge for west-east cargo movements. Western voivodeships such as Lower Silesia funnel automotive parts into German plants, while finished vehicles return eastbound to Polish showrooms. Northern ports at Gdańsk and Gdynia add containerized flows that feed inland-destination road legs.
TEN-T upgrades will complete the S3 expressway from Swinoujscie to the Czech border and extend Via Baltica, slashing transit times and lifting freight reliability. As these corridors open, shippers reroute loads from congested secondaries, driving higher ton-kilometers that underpin the Poland road freight transport market. Eastern regions leverage infrastructure to export agri-food products into the Baltics and Ukraine, diversifying freight origins beyond traditional western launch points.
Geopolitical shifts since 2022 have further reshaped lanes. Rzeszow’s airport handled up to 80% of Western materiel bound for Ukraine, catalyzing supportive road freight surges. Such concentration underlines Poland’s role as a logistics hinge not only for commerce but also for humanitarian and strategic flows. Regional specialization is emerging: western clusters dominate cross-border FTL, central provinces focus on distribution parks near Warsaw, and eastern belts cultivate perishable exports. This mosaic fortifies the Poland road freight transport market against single-corridor disruptions while encouraging carriers to tailor regional service packages.
Competitive Landscape
The Poland road freight transport market remains fragmented. Thousands of small and mid-size fleets coexist with multinationals such as DSV, DHL and GEODIS. Local players exploit customer intimacy and route knowledge, particularly on domestic construction and agricultural lanes. Multinationals pursue mergers to scale contract-logistics offerings and inject capital into telematics, alternative fuels and compliance systems.
Deal activity accelerated when DSV closed its EUR 14.3 billion (USD 15.78 billion) purchase of DB Schenker in April 2025, creating the world’s largest logistics enterprise with deep Polish exposure. GEODIS followed by taking over PEKAES in mid-2024, adding 20 branches and rail terminals that reinforce LTL coverage. Technology adoption differentiates competitors: larger fleets deploy AI-driven route planning and dynamic pricing, while SMEs still rely on brokers and manual dispatch boards. Barriers rise around GDP certification for pharmaceuticals and ISO 14001 environmental standards, favoring operators willing to invest in compliance.
Strategic priorities converge on electrification, intermodal integration and value-added warehousing near urban zones. Carriers able to combine temperature-controlled capacity, customs brokerage and e-commerce fulfillment secure premium contracts, lifting profitability despite margin pressure elsewhere. Continuous consolidation, digitalization and modal diversification will therefore define rivalry intensity across the Poland road freight transport market.
Poland Road Freight Transport Industry Leaders
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Girteka
-
Raben Group
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Rhenus Group
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ROHLIG SUUS Logistics SA
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DSV A/S (including DB Schenker)
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Recent Industry Developments
- April 2025: DSV finalized the EUR 14.3 (USD 15.78 billion) billion acquisition of DB Schenker, boosting combined revenue above EUR 39 billion (USD 9.89 billion) and enlarging Polish operations.
- December 2024: DHL opened a EUR 180 million (USD 198.65 million) logistics campus in Poznań, enhancing cross-border distribution capability.
- October 2024: Otto Group inaugurated an automated 118,000 m² logistics center in Iłowa with 110 million-parcel annual capacity.
- June 2024: GEODIS acquired PEKAES, adding 20 branches, three rail terminals and six logistics warehouses in Poland.
Poland Road Freight Transport Market Report Scope
Agriculture, Fishing, and Forestry, Construction, Manufacturing, Oil and Gas, Mining and Quarrying, Wholesale and Retail Trade, Others are covered as segments by End User Industry. Domestic, International are covered as segments by Destination. Full-Truck-Load (FTL), Less than-Truck-Load (LTL) are covered as segments by Truckload Specification. Containerized, Non-Containerized are covered as segments by Containerization. Long Haul, Short Haul are covered as segments by Distance. Fluid Goods, Solid Goods are covered as segments by Goods Configuration. Non-Temperature Controlled, Temperature Controlled are covered as segments by Temperature Control.| Agriculture, Fishing, and Forestry |
| Construction |
| Manufacturing |
| Oil and Gas, Mining and Quarrying |
| Wholesale and Retail Trade |
| Others |
| Domestic |
| International |
| Full-Truck-Load (FTL) |
| Less than-Truck-Load (LTL) |
| Containerized |
| Non-Containerized |
| Long Haul |
| Short Haul |
| Fluid Goods |
| Solid Goods |
| Non-Temperature Controlled |
| Temperature Controlled |
| End User Industry | Agriculture, Fishing, and Forestry |
| Construction | |
| Manufacturing | |
| Oil and Gas, Mining and Quarrying | |
| Wholesale and Retail Trade | |
| Others | |
| Destination | Domestic |
| International | |
| Truckload Specification | Full-Truck-Load (FTL) |
| Less than-Truck-Load (LTL) | |
| Containerization | Containerized |
| Non-Containerized | |
| Distance | Long Haul |
| Short Haul | |
| Goods Configuration | Fluid Goods |
| Solid Goods | |
| Temperature Control | Non-Temperature Controlled |
| Temperature Controlled |
Market Definition
- Agriculture, Fishing, and Forestry (AFF) - This end user industry segment captures the external (outsourced) logistics expenditure incurred by the AFF industry players on road freight transport service. The end user players considered are the establishments primarily engaged in growing crops, raising animals, harvesting timber, harvesting fish & other animals from their natural habitats and providing related support activities. Herein, across the value chain, Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) play a crucial role in acquisition, storage, handling, transportation, and distribution activities for the optimal & continuous flow of inputs (seeds, pesticides, fertilizers, equipment, and water) from manufacturers or suppliers to the producers and smooth flow of output (produce, agro-goods) to distributors/ consumers. This includes both termperature controlled and non-temperature controlled logistics, as and when required according to the shelf life of goods being transported or stored.
- Construction - This end user industry segment captures the external (outsourced) logistics expenditure incurred by the construction industry players, on road freight transport service. The end user players considered are the establishments primarily engaged in constructing, repairing and renovating residential & commercial buildings, infrastructure, engineering works, subdividing and developing land. Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) play a crucial role in increasing profitability of construction projects by maintaing the inventory of raw materials & equipment, time-critical supplies and by providing other value added services for effective project management.
- Containerized Road Freight Transport - The segment captures the external (outsourced) logistics expenditure incurred by the road freight transport service end users on Full-Truck-Load (FTL) services. FTL road freight transport is characterized as a full single load not combined with other shipments. It comprises of shipments (i) devoted to the goods of a single shipper (ii) taken directly from a point of origin to one or more destination points (iii) comprising of bulk mail truck transportation (iv) comprising of both Container (Full Container Load, FCL)/Non-Container trucking services (v)comprsing of goods requiring temperature controlled or non-temperature controlled transportation services (vi) comprising of bulk liquid tankering (vii) invoving trucking of waste (viii) hazardous material trucking. Related value added services (VAS) of sorting, consolidation, deconslidation are included in the other services segment of freight and logistics market.
- Export Trends and Import Trends - Overall logistics performance of an economy is positively and significantly (statistically) correlated to its trade performance (exports and imports). Hence, in this industry trend, total value of trade, major commodities/ commodity groups and the major trade partners, for the studied geography (country or region as per the scope of report) have been analysed alongside the impact of major trade/logistics infrastructure investments & regulatory environment.
- Fluid Goods - The segment captures the external (outsourced) logistics expenditure incurred by the road freight transport service end users for the transport of bulk liquids, that are often used in extraction, manufacturing, food processing, agriculture industries among others. It includes transportation of liquids like (i) Chemicals/ hazardous goods (for instance acids) (ii) Water (potable as well as waste) (iii) Oil and gas (upstream as well as downstream like gasoline, fuel, crude oil, or propane), (iv) Food grade bulk liquids (like milk, or juice), (v) Rubber, (vi) Agrichemical products, among others. These goods are generally transported through tanker trucking.
- Fuel Price - Fuel price spikes can cause delays and diruption for logistics service providers (LSPs), while drops in the same can result in higher short-term profitability and increased market rivalry to offer consumers with the best deals. Hence, the fuel price variations have been studied over the review period and presented along with the causes as well as market impacts.
- Full-Truck-Load (FTL) Road Freight Transport - The segment captures the external (outsourced) logistics expenditure incurred by the road freight transport service end users on Full-Truck-Load (FTL) services. FTL road freight transport is characterized as a full single load not combined with other shipments. It comprises of shipments (i) devoted to the goods of a single shipper (ii) taken directly from a point of origin to one or more destination points (iii) comprising of bulk mail truck transportation (iv) comprising of both Container (Full Container Load, FCL)/Non-Container trucking services (v)comprsing of goods requiring temperature controlled or non-temperature controlled transportation services (vi) comprising of bulk liquid tankering (vii) invoving trucking of waste (viii) hazardous material trucking. Related value added services (VAS) of sorting, consolidation, deconslidation are included in the other services segment of freight and logistics market.
- GDP Distribution by Economic Activity - Nominal Gross Domestic Product and distribution of the same, across major economic sectors in the geography studied (country or region as per scope of the report) have been studied and presented in this industry trend. As GDP is positively related to the profitability and growth of logistics industry, this data has been used in adjunction to the input-output tables/ supply-use tables for analyzing the potential major contributing sectors towards the logistics demand.
- GDP Growth by Economic Activity - Growth of Nominal Gross Domestic Product across major economic sectors, for the geography studied (country or region as per scope of the report) have been presented in this industry trend. This data has been utilized for assessing the growth of logistics demand from all the market end users (economic sectors considered here).
- Inflation - Variations in both Wholesale Price Inflation (YoY change in producer price index) and Consumer Price Inflation have been presented in this industry trend. This data has been used to assess the inflationary environment as it plays a vital role in smooth functioning of the supply chain, directly impacting the logistics operational cost components e.g., pricing of tyres, driver wages & benefits, energy/fuel prices, maintenace costs, toll charges, warehousing rents, custom brokerage, forwarding rates, courier rates etc. hence impacting the overall freight and logistics market.
- Key Industry Trends - The report section named "Key Industry Trends" include all the key variables/parameters studied to better analyze the market size estimates and forecasts. All the trends have been presented in the form of data points (time series or latest available data points) along with analysis of the paramter in the form of concise market relevant commentary, for the geography studied (country or region as per the scope of report).
- Key Strategic Moves - The action taken by a company to differentiate from its competitor or used as a general strategy is referred to as a key strategic move (KSM). This includes (1) Agreements (2) Expansions (3) Financial Restructuring (4) Mergers and Acquisitions (5) Partnerships, and (6) Product Innovations. Key players (Logistics Service Providers, LSPs) in the market have been shortlisted, their KSM have been studied and presented in this section.
- Less than-Truck-Load (LTL) Road Freight Transport - The segment captures the external (outsourced) logistics expenditure incurred by the road freight transport service end users on Less than-Truck-Load (LTL) services. LTL road freight transport is characterized as multiple shipments combined onto a single truck for multiple deliveries within a network. It comprises of establishments (i) primarily engaged in general and specialized freight trucking of less than complete truck-loads, (ii) characterized by the use of terminals to consolidate shipments, generally from several shippers, into a single truck for haulage between a load assembly terminal and a disassembly terminal, where the load is sorted and shipments are re-routed for delivery (iv) Less than-Container-Load (LCL) shipping/ Groupage Shipping in case of trucking services. The activities in scope include (i) local pick-up, (ii) line-haul, and (iii) local delivery. Related value added services (VAS) of sorting, consolidation, deconslidation are included in the other services segment of freight and logistics market.
- Logistics Performance - Logistics Performance and Logistics Costs are the backbone of trade, and influences trade costs, making countries compete globally. Logistics performance is influenced by market wide adopted supply chain management strategies, government services, investments & policies, fuel/ energy costs, inflationary environment etc. Hence, in this industry trend, the logistics performance of the geography studied (country/ region as per the scope of report) has been analysed and presented over the review period.
- Major Truck Suppliers - Market share of truck brands is influenced by factors like geographical preferences, portfolio of truck types, truck prices, local production, truck repair & maintenance service peneteration, customer support, technological innovations (like electric vehicles, digitalization, autonomous trucks), fuel efficiency, financing options, annual maintenance costs, availability of substitutes, marketing startegies etc. Hence, the distribution (share % for base year of the study) of truck sales volume for leading truck brands and commentary on current market scenario & market anticipation over the forecast period have been presented in this industry trend.
- Manufacturing - This end user industry segment captures the external (outsourced) logistics expenditure incurred by the Manufacturing industry players, on road freight transport service. The end user players considered are the establishments primarily engaged in the chemical, mechanical or physical transformation of materials or substances into new products. Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) play a crucial role in maintaining a smooth flow of raw materials across the supply chain, enabling timely delivery of finished goods to distributors or end customers and storing & supplying the raw materials to clients for just-in-time manufacturing.
- Modal Share - Freight Modal Share is influenced by factors like modal productivity, government regulations, containerization, distance of shipment, temperature control requirements, type of goods, international trade, terrain, speed of delivery, shipment weight, bulk shipments, etc. Also, modal share by tonnage (tons) and modal share by freight turnover (ton-km) differ as per average distance of shipments, weight of major commodity groups transported in the economy and number of trips. This industry trend represents the distribution of freight transported by mode of transport (tons as well as ton-km), for the study base year.
- Oil and Gas, Mining and Quarrying - This end user industry segment captures the external (outsourced) logistics expenditure incurred by the extraction industry players, on road freight transport service. The end user players considered are the establishments that extract naturally occurring mineral solids, such as coal and ores; liquid minerals, such as crude petroleum; and gases, such as natural gas. Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) covers entire phases from upstream to downstream and plays a crucial role in the transportation of machinery, drilling equipments, extracted minerals, crude oil & natural gas and refined/ processed products from one place to another.
- Other End Users - Other end user segment captures the external (outsourced) logistics expenditure incurred by the financial services (BFSI), real estate, educational services, healthcare, and professional services (administrative, waste management, legal, architectural, engineering, design, consulting, scientific R&D), on road freight transport service. Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) plays a crucial role in the reliable movement of supplies and documents to/from these industries such as transporting any equipment or resources required, shipping confidential documents and files, movement of medical goods & supplies (surgical supplies and instruments, including gloves, masks, syringes, equipment) to name a few.
- Producer Price Inflation - It indicates inflation from viewpoint of the producers viz. the average selling price received for their output over a period of time. Annual change (YoY) of producer price index is reported as wholesale price inflation in the "Inflation" industry trend. As WPI captures dynamic price movements in most comprehensive way, it is widely used by governments, banks, industry, business circles and is deemed important in formulation of trade, fiscal and other economic policies. The data has been used in adjunction to consumer price inflation for better understanding the inflationary environment.
- Road Freight Pricing Trends - Freight pricing by mode of transport (USD/tonkm), over the review period, has been presented in this industry trend. The data has been used in assessing the inflationary environment, impact on trade, freight turnover (tonkm), road freight transport market demand and hence the road freight transport market size.
- Road Freight Tonnage Trends - Freight tonnage (weight of goods in tons) handled by mode of transport, over the review period, has been presented in this industry trend. The data has been used as one of the parameters apart from average distance per shipment (km), freight volume (tonkm), and freight pricing (USD/tonkm) to assess the freight transport market size.
- Road Freight Transport - Hiring a road freight transport logistics service provider (LSP) or haulier (outsourced logistics), for the transport of commodities constitutes road freight transport market. The scope of study includes (i) road transport of goods reported by hauliers registered in the reporting countries (ii) transport of raw materials or manufactured goods (solids as well as fluids) (iii) transport using commerical motor vehicles (rigid trucks or tractor-trailers, (iv) Full-Truck-Load (FTL) or Less than-Truck-Load (LTL) transport (v) containerized or non-containerized transport (vi) temperature controlled or non-temperature controlled trasnport, (vii) short haul or long haul (Over-the-road, OTR) transport, (viii) used office or household goods transport (movers and packers), (ix) other specialized cargo transport (dangerous goods, oversized cargo) and (x) outsourced first mile/ middle mile/last mile delivery shipments undertaken by road freight transport players. The scope does not include (i) transport undertaken by hauliers registered in other countries (ii) last mile meal delivery market (iii) grocery delivery market (iv) transportation via road network undertaken/ reported by Courier, Express, and Parcel (CEP) players.
- Road Length - As infrastructure plays a vital role in an economy's logistics performance, variables like length of roads, distribution of road length by surface category (paved v/s unpaved), distribution of road length by road classification (expressways v/s highways v/s other roads), have been analysed and presented in this industry trend.
- Segmental Revenue - Segmental Revenue has been triangulated or computed and presented for all the major players in the market. It refers to the road freight transport market specific revenue earned by the company, over the base year of study, in the geography studied (country or region as per the scope of report). It is computed through the study and analysis of major parameters like financials, service portfolio, employee strength, fleet size, investments, number of countries present in, major economies of concern, etc. that have been reported by the company in its annual reports, webpage. For companies having scarce financial disclosures, paid databases like D&B Hoovers, Dow Jones Factiva have been resorted to and verified through industry/expert interactions.
- Short Haul Road Freight Transport - The segment captures the external (outsourced) logistics expenditure incurred by the road freight transport service end users on local trucking (less than 100 miles). It includes the road transport of goods (i) within a single administrative area and its hinterland, (ii) by smaller trucks and pickup trucks (iii) via containerized as well as dry bulk services (iv) intermodal from ports, container terminals or airports, and (v) outsourced first mile/ last mile delivery shipments undertaken by road freight transport players.
- Transport and Storage Sector GDP - Value and growth of Transport and Storage Sector GDP has a direct relation to the freight and logistics market size, and hence road freight transport market size. Therefore, this variable has been studied and presented over the review period, in value terms (USD) and as share % of total GDP, in this industry trend. The data has been supported by concise and relevant commentary around the investments, developments, and current market scenario.
- Trends in E-Commerce Industry - Enhanced internet connectivity and boom in smartphone penetration, coupled with increasing disposable incomes, has led to a phenomenal growth in the e-commerce market globally. Online shoppers require fast and efficient delivery of their orders leading to an increase in the demand for logistics services especially e-commerce fulfilment services. Hence, the Gross Merchandise Value (GMV), historial and projected growth, breakup of major commodity groups in e-commerce industry for the studied geography (country or region as per scope of the report) have been analysed and presented in this industry trend.
- Trends in Manufacturing Industry - Manufacturing industry involves the transformation of raw materials into finished products, while logistics industry ensures the efficient flow of raw materials to the factory, and the transport of manufactured products to the distributors & consumers. Demand-Supply of both industries are highly cross-linked and critical for a seamless supply chain. Hence, the Gross Value Added (GVA), breakup of GVA into major manufacturing sectors, and growth of manufacturing industry over the review period have been analysed and presented, in this industry trend.
- Trucking Fleet Size By Type - Market share of truck types is influenced by factors like geographical preferences, major end user industries, truck prices, local production, truck repair & maintenance service peneteration, customer support, technological disruptions (like electric vehicles, digitalization, autonomous trucks) etc. Hence, the distribution (share % for base year of study) of truck parc volume by type of truck, market disruptors, truck manufacturing investments, truck specifications, truck use & import regulations, and market anticipation over the forecast period have been presented in this industry trend.
- Trucking Operational Costs - The prime reasons for measuring/ benchmarking logistics performance of any trucking company are to reduce operational costs and increase profitability. On the other hand, measuring operational costs helps to identify whether and where to make operational changes to control expenses and identify areas for improved performance. Hence, in this industry trend, trucking operational costs and the variables involved viz. driver wages & benefits, fuel prices, repairs & maintenance costs, tyre costs etc. have been studied over the base year of study, and presented for the geography studied (country or region as per the scope of report).
- Wholesale and Retail Trade - This end user industry segment captures the external (outsourced) logistics expenditure incurred by the wholesalers and retailers, on road freight transport service. The end user players considered are the establishments primarily engaged in wholesaling or retailing merchandise, generally without transformation, and rendering services incidental to the sale of merchandise. Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) plays a crucial role in the reliable movement of supplies to and finished products from production houses to the distributors and finally to the end customer covering activites like material sourcing, transportation, order fulfillment, warehousing & storage, demand forecasting, inventory management etc.
| Keyword | Definition |
|---|---|
| Cabotage | Road transport by a motor vehicle registered in a country performed on the national territory of another country. |
| Cross Docking | Cross docking is a logistics procedure where products from a supplier or manufacturing plant are distributed directly to a customer or retail chain with marginal to no handling or storage time. Cross docking takes place in a distribution docking terminal; usually consisting of trucks and dock doors on two (inbound and outbound) sides with minimal storage space. The name ‘cross docking’ explains the process of receiving products through an inbound dock and then transferring them across the dock to the outbound transportation dock. |
| Cross Trade | International road transport between two different countries performed by a road motor vehicle registered in a third country. A third country is a country other than the country of loading/embarkation and than the country of unloading/disembarkation. |
| Dangerous Goods | The classes of dangerous goods carried by Road are those defined by the fifteenth revised edition of the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, United Nations, Geneva 2007. They include Class 1: Explosives; Class 2: Gases; Class 3: Flammable Liquids; Class 4: Flammable solids- substances liable to spontaneous combustion; substances which, on contact with water, emit flammable gases; Class 5: Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides; Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances; Class 7: Radioactive material and Class 8: Corrosive substances, Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles. |
| Direct Shipment | Direct shipment is a method of delivering goods from the supplier or the product owner to the customer directly. In most cases, the customer orders the goods from the product owner. This delivery scheme reduces transportation and storage costs, but requires additional planning and administration. |
| Drayage | A drayage is a form of trucking service that connects the different modes of shipping (intermodal), such as ocean freight or air freight. It’s a short-haul trip that transports goods from one place to another, usually before or after its long-haul shipping process. Drayage trucks move cargo to and from various destinations, such as container ships, storage lots, order fulfillment warehouses, and rail yards. Typically, drayage only transports goods in short distances and operates only in one metropolitan area. It also requires only one trucker in a single shift. But despite this, but it plays an important role in long-haul shipping because it gets the goods to the cargo and vice versa. It makes intermodal transport much more efficient and enables the seamless transfer of goods to the end customer. |
| Dry van | A dry van is a type of semi-trailer that's fully enclosed to protect shipments from outside elements. Designed to carry palletized, boxed or loose freight, dry vans aren't temperature-controlled (unlike refrigerated “reefer” units) and can't carry oversized shipments (unlike flatbed trailers). |
| Final Demand | Final demand includes all types of commodities (goods as well as services) consumed as final use and might include personal consumption, or consumption by government, by businesses as capital investment, and as exports. includes all types of commodities (goods as well as services) consumed as final use and might include personal consumption, or consumption by government, by businesses as capital investment, and as exports. |
| Flatbed Truck | A flatbed truck is a type of truck with rigid design. It has a back body that is flatly shaped for easy loading and unloading of goods. The flatbed truck is mostly used to transport heavy, oversized, wide and indelicate goods such as machinery, building supplies or equipment. Due to the truck open body, the goods transported with it must not be vulnerable to rain. By functionality, the flatbed truck is comparable to a flatbed trailer. |
| Inbound Logistics | Inbound logistics is the way materials and other goods are brought into a company. This process includes the steps to order, receive, store, transport and manage incoming supplies. Inbound logistics focuses on the supply part of the supply-demand equation. |
| Intermediate Demand | Intermediate demand includes goods, services, and maintenance and repair construction sold to businesses, excluding capital investment. |
| International Loaded | Place of loading of goods in reporting country (i.e., country in which the vehicle performing the transport is registered) and place of unloading in a different country. |
| International Unloaded | Place of unloading of goods in reporting country (i.e., country in which the vehicle performing the transport is registered) and place of loading in a different country. |
| OOG cargo | Out of Gauge (OOG) cargo is any cargo that can not be loaded into six-sided shipping containers simply because it is too large. The term is a very loose classification of all cargo with dimensions beyond the maximum 40HC container dimensions. That is a length beyond 12.05 meters – a width beyond 2.33 meters – or a height beyond 2.59 meters. |
| Pallets | Raised platform, intended to facilitate the lifting and stacking of goods. |
| Part load | A part load describes goods which only fills a truck partially. In essence, the quantity of the shipment is bigger than the Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipment. Also, the shipment cannot fully occupy a truck i.e. its capacity is much lower than a Full Truckload (FTL) shipment. |
| Paved Road | Road surfaced with crushed stone (macadam) with hydrocarbon binder or bituminized agents, with concrete or with cobblestone. |
| Reverse Logistics | Reverse logistics comprises of the sector of supply chains that process anything returning inwards through the supply chain or traveling ‘backward’ through the supply chain. |
| Road Freight Transport Service | Hiring a trucking agency for transport of commodities (raw materials or manufactured goods including both solids and liquids) form the origin to a destination within the country (domestic) or cross-border (international) constitutes road freight transport market. The service might be Full-Truck-Load or Less than-Truck-Load, containerized or non-containerized, temperature controlled or non temperature controlled, short haul or long haul. |
| Tautliner vehicle | Tautliner and curtainsider are used as generic names for curtain sided trucks/trailers. The curtains are permanently fixed to a runner at the top and detachable rails/poles at front and rear, allowing the curtains to be drawn open and forklifts used all along the sides for easy and efficient loading and unloading. When closed for travel, vertical load restraint straps are attached to a rope rail beneath the truck bed, connecting the truck bed and curtain along both sides. Winches at either end of the curtain tension it, hence the 'Tautliner' name. This stops the curtain from flapping or drumming in the wind and can also help retain light loads from slipping sideways. |
| Transport for hire or reward | The carriage for remuneration of goods. |
| Unpaved Road | Road with a stabilized base not surfaced with crushed stone, hydrocarbon binder or bituminized agents, concrete or cobblestone. |
Research Methodology
Mordor Intelligence follows a four-step methodology in all our reports.
- Step-1: Identify Key Variables: In order to build a robust forecasting methodology, the variables and factors identified in Step-1 are tested against available historical market numbers. Through an iterative process, the variables required for market forecast are set and the model is built on the basis of these variables.
- Step-2: Build a Market Model: Market-size estimations for the forecast years are in nominal terms. Inflation is considered to be a part of the pricing, and the average selling price (ASP) is varying throughout the forecast period for each country
- Step-3: Validate and Finalize: In this important step, all market numbers, variables and analyst calls are validated through an extensive network of primary research experts from the market studied. The respondents are selected across levels and functions to generate a holistic picture of the market studied.
- Step-4: Research Outputs: Syndicated Reports, Custom Consulting Assignments, Databases & Subscription Platforms
