Road transport prices to increase again in 2025

28 October 2024

While sea freight rates have continued to fall steadily in recent times, the same will unfortunately not be true of road transport costs. The annual ‘Cost developments in road transport’ report (compiled by TLN, Evofenedex and Panteia), states what we can expect in 2025. Ritra Cargo attended the webinar on this and explains how the cost increases arose.  

Drafting of the report

Research firm Panteia, entrepreneurs’ organisation Transport en Logistiek Nederland (TLN) and knowledge hub for trade and logistics Evofenedex jointly released the annual road-transport cost-developments report in early October. It contains important information for carriers and forwarders. Carriers have been basing their annual rate increases or decreases on this report for years.

Transportation companies will again face increased costs in 2025. As a result, you too will see an increase in transportation costs. But what are these costs based on? The report and webinar give you and us greater clarity on upcoming cost increases.

Another increase in labour costs

The CBA for Professional Freight Transportation reached an agreement on 1 January 2024. The collective bargaining agreement runs through 31 December 2025. An agreement was reached on an average wage demand of 5.47%. This was a necessity, given inflation in recent years and relatively low salaries in the transportation industry.

However, the wage increase demanded by the unions FNV and CNV was much higher, at 10%. Therefore, it is expected that another increase of over 5.5% for wages will be released in 2025, as agreed in the collective bargaining agreement.

Other indications

In the new year, transportation companies once again face increased equipment costs. Repair and maintenance costs are likely to increase by nearly 4%. Insurance costs will increase by a hefty 5.6%.

Of course, like last year, sustainability also plays a very big role. This is especially true with upcoming CSRD obligations on the horizon. Market developments such as the investment in a compulsory Smart Tacho 2, a tachograph that every truck must be equipped with from 1 January 2025, cybersecurity, and the looming goods-vehicle charges in 2026 also affect price increases.

Fuel costs have risen nearly 1% year-to-date in 2024. Many operators, including Ritra Cargo, use a fuel clause to set the monthly diesel rate as transparently as possible. Are you a customer and not (yet) receiving this information? If so, please contact us.

Expected 2025 price increases

Based on all observable and available information at the time of writing, the forecast for 2025 is as follows:

* Domestic road transport pallet                 +4.9%

* Domestic road transport containers        +3.9%

* Source: Report by Panteia on Cost Trends in Road Transport 2024-2025