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Combined Transport in Europe shrunk by 14,41% between April and June
of 2023 compared to the same period a year earlier. The decline is
comparable to the 14,67% historic decline suffered during the second
quarter of 2020 which saw the worst COVID lockdowns. Q2.2023 was
the third consecutive quarter of negative growth for European Combined
Transport.
The UIRR Sentiment Index reflects business sentiment for the coming 12
months and it remains ‘negative’. The poor outlook for European
Combined Transport is attributable to the European economy, which is
experiencing difficult times characterised by high inflation, sluggish consumer confidence, the end of abundant and cheap energy and multiple impacts on transcontinental trade, while at the same time cost competitiveness is deteriorating, with increasing track access charges and high traction electricity prices competing with unchanged road tolls and declining diesel fuel prices.
The economic transition is predicted to last at least until the end of 2024, therefore measures will have to be taken to support the high fixed cost Combined Transport sector during this period. A wide range of options are already available to Member State governments to support electric rail freight through actions such as reduced track access charges or traction electricity price caps. The timely implementation of European law adopted during the past years such as the Mobility Package or the Eurovignette Directive amendment could also be helpful.
The 2022 business year of the Combined Transport sector was formally assessed during the annual General Assembly of UIRR on 31 May. The performance was mixed, as the number of consignments transported declined by a relatively minor 0,3%, whereas – due to the collapse of intercontinental Combined Transport between Asia and Europe – the tonne-kilometre output declined by 11,7%. Quarterly performance shifted down by 7% in the traditionally strong fourth quarter of 2022, foretelling the severe downturn experienced during the first half of 2023. Read more
Source: UIRR
