News

Business for UK hauliers increased by just 1% in 2008, and, unsurprisingly, is predicted to slump in 2009, according to market analyst Keynote.

Keynote estimates that the volume of goods lifted by road vehicles over 3.5 tonnes in 2008 increased by 1% to 1.89 billion tonnes. There was a similar increase when the distance goods were carried is taken into account, with the volume of goods moved up  1.5% to 163.9 billion tonne kilometres.

But 2009 has reversed this trend. The report says that the deepening recession is expected to continue to produce challenging conditions, with those feeling the most impact including car transporting and construction.

It adds; "In the longer term, a recovery in the UK economy, especially in the construction, manufacturing and retail sectors, along with the price of diesel fuel (particularly in relation to its cost elsewhere in Europe), technical advances and competition from foreign hauliers are all expected to have an impact on road haulage services in the UK."

The report adds that the EU's liberalisation of cabotage views is also viewed as a threat by some UK hauliers.

Keynote says that one result of difficult trading conditions could be further consolidation within the industry, echoing deals in recent years involving Exel, Christian Salvesen, Stobart and TDG.