Skip to main content

Global road freight on the rise, ITF reports

Road freight’s share in global trade will increase from 6% to 10% by 2050, driven by increasing intra-regional trade, according to the latest report by the International Transport Forum. This growth is especially likely in Asia and Africa where efficient rail networks are and could remain underdeveloped, noted the report ITF Transport Outlook 2015. Hit hard by the global crisis in 2009, road freight volume grew 3% annually from 2010-12 in member countries of the OECD – the Organisation for Economic Co-opera
February 20, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
Road freight’s share in global trade will increase from 6% to 10% by 2050, driven by increasing intra-regional trade, according to the latest report by the 1102 International Transport Forum.

This growth is especially likely in Asia and Africa where efficient rail networks are and could remain underdeveloped, noted %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal the report ITF Transport Outlook 2015 linl to International Transport Forum website false http://www.internationaltransportforum.org/ false false%>.

Hit hard by the global crisis in 2009, road freight volume grew 3% annually from 2010-12 in member countries of the OECD – the 3685 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Despite the growth, overall tonne-kilometres in 20121 were still 9% below pre-financial crisis levels.

After an initial drop of 10% in 2009, road freight is struggling in the 1116 European Union. Tonne-kilometres grew 3% in 2010, but growth slowed to 1% in 2011 and turned finally negative (a 5% drop) in 2012, overall volumes remaining below the pre-crisis peak.

Road freight accounts for around half of the total CO2 emissions from international trade-related freight and the share is projected to increase to 56% by 2050.

International freight now requires intermodal transport and is often performed by trucks. This domestic freight linked to international trade accounts for around 10% of global total trade-related freight and 30% of the total trade-related CO2 emissions.

The world growth of surface freight volumes and related CO2 emissions will be
driven by countries outside the OECD -- Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development. Asia, including China and India, will account for over half of world surface freight transport by 2050, compared with 35% today.

Growth rates range between 330% and 630% for freight volumes and between 240% and 600% for the CO2 emissions. The difference between the highest and the lowest scenario for non-OECD economies reflects uncertainties related to the direction these economies will take in terms of composition of production and the share of different types of freight transport.

The report ITF Transport Outlook 2015 is available from the ITF, which is part of the Paris-based OECD, but is an intergovernmental organisation in its own right. It has 54 member countries, acts as a strategic think tank for transport policy and organises an annual summit of ministers.

Related Content

  • Haulotte sees sales growth in 2012
    April 18, 2013
    French access and telehandler manufacturer Haulotte returned to profit in 2012 and, though the first quarter of 2013 is down year-on-year, CEO Alexandre Saubot remains confident about continued growth this year. “We achieved a decent performance in 2012 with almost 16% growth,” said Saubot. “2013 will remain a challenge for us, we will have to continue to work hard for sales growth.”
  • European regulations for engine emissions are getting tougher
    January 17, 2013
    Emissions remain the focus for engine development but equipment manufacturers want clarity from regulators Emissions remain a major challenge for the off-highway construction equipment market. The EU has tough targets in this respect and its objective is an overall reduction of CO2 emissions of 80-95% by the year 2050, compared to 1990 levels. There is considerable research already underway on how to reduce fuel consumption and to help ensure the security of energy supply. A number of industry sectors, such
  • European equipment sales up 15% in 2017, according to the CECE
    June 15, 2018
    European construction sales grew by 15% in 2017, according to the Annual Economic Report 2018* from the CECE After a strong first quarter, growth slowed in Q2, before rising in Q3 and Q4, according to the CECE - Committee for European Construction Equipment. Current levels of sales are on par with the levels seen in 2006 and 2008, but the industry is still 20% below the 2007 peak.
  • Dynapac shows new-generation CA rollers at INTERMAT 2012
    January 6, 2017
    Dynapac’s new fifth generation CA single drum vibratory rollers are the first of their type with cross-mounted engines and they can run using a mix of biodiesel and diesel.