Logistic Industry
Freight Service in Germany
The economic situation of the majority of the German transport companies has improved in the last two years. Nevertheless, the freight traffic industry is facing new and serious challenges due to the increasing energy prices. Freight traffic in Germany rose significantly in 2007, but not as strong as in 2006. The volume of cargo handled by road, rail and inland transportation in 2007 increased by 3.5%, with the traffic performance in terms of tonnage per kilometer (tkm) rising by 4.3%. The increase in the area of international road haulage was slightly slowed down by a decline in domestic transport in the second half of 2007.
Recently, many mid-sized transportation companies have complained about having pressure from large shipping and logistics companies: Especially large clients tend to prefer one stop transportation service with large capacities and facilities. As a result, many mid-sized shipping companies have started to form joint ventures with similar enterprises. Nowadays, new mergers and acquisitions account for much of the concentration in logistics, consistent with a Europe wide development.
The German Rail transport has experienced a positive development for several years now. Both state and privately owned rail transport companies have been able to cover the increasing demand for rail transportation services. Private rail companies were also able to claim a market share of approximately 20%, according to an estimate by the market leader Deutsche Bahn AG in 2007. The positive economic environment in the iron and steel industry, the chemical industry, and industrial and consumer goods was reflected in the increased volume to be transported in the respective areas. Due to a dynamic foreign trade development, combined traffic in the surrounding of German seaports made a significant increase?
The German domestic navigation achieved in 2007 its best result since the reunification due to a high demand for transportation services. However, it suffered market share losses in comparison to trucks and railways. An increase in quantity in dry goods shipping clearly contrasted with declines in volume in tanker shipping. The statistics for container transport showed an overall increase in 2007.
Freight Service in Germany
| Mode of Transport | 2007 | 2006 | Change 2006 to 2007 | |||
| Tons | Tons-kilometer | Tons | Tons-kilometer | Tons | Tons-kilometer | |
| Millions | Billions | Millions | Billions | % | ||
| Road Haulage | 3429,6 | 466,2 | 3250,9 | 431,9 | 5,5 | 8,0 |
| Transportation: | ||||||
| German Lorries | 3039,4 | 307,3 | 2898,8 | 288,9 | 4,8 | 6,4 |
| Railway | 358,2 | 114,0 | 346,1 | 107,0 | 3,5 | 6,5 |
| Inland Navigation | 247,4 | 65,0 | 243,5 | 64,0 | 1,6 | 1,6 |
| Deep Sea | 311,1 | 299,2 | 4,0 | |||
| Pipelines (crude oil) | 91,2 | 16,1 | 94,2 | 15,8 | -3,2 | 1,6 |
| Aviation | 3,4 | 3,2 | 5,4 | |||
| Total | 4440,8 | 661,3 | 4237,1 | 618,7 | 4,8 | 6,9 |
*)Preliminary results (Source: destatis)
In the field of transportation, the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHKs) have two different responsibilities. First, they offer information and support services to their member companies and try to shape the opinions and decisions of political decisionmakers. Secondly, they enforce the mandatory regulations for the qualification of entrepreneurs and operators. As an example, carriers in the road haulage field have to prove reliability and expertise. The Chambers provide information on the license that is needed for European cross-border traffic and on the training requirements for drivers of dangerous goods.
As a source of information on current developments and changes in regulation, the Chamber of Essen publishes a comprehensive monthly newsletter on its website. It is available in German only.
The German Logistics Association (BVL) considers itself to be a networking association for experts in the German supply chain management & logistics sector. In addition to providing information on events and services offered by the Association, 26 regional groups form a platform for establishing new contacts and find out about upcoming events and services offered by BVL.
Another industrial federation is the Association of German Freight Forwarders and Logistics Operators (DSLV). The Bonn based association is a member of the European federation CLECAT and the global organizations FIATA and IRU.org. Its goal is to play an important role in political discussions and offers support to its members. The website has only a small English section but in the download-section, entrepreneurs may find a specimen of the general terms and conditions concerning logistics-services.
The Federal Association of Road Haulage, Logistics, and Disposal (BGL) offers a detailed and prompt survey on the cost structure of the road haulage business in Germany. The survey's figures are published on the association's website in German.
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