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World logistics increased by 9% in 2007, to 140 billion €, according to the Transport Intelligence practice. In contrast, the future looks to be more difficult…
The contract logistics sector (which combines transport and warehousing) still seems attractive, in contrast to the rest of the economy. According to the report from the British consultancy Transport Intelligence entitled “Global Contract Logistics 2008”, operators have benefited, in Europe, from the two-figure growth in the United Kingdom. Also celebrating: Finland, which profits from its hinge position with Russia. More generally all central and eastern European markets, surfing on foreign investments and the strong trend in relocations, are showing higher growth rates than their western neighbours. Germany and France remain “solid markets”.
In contrast, the American market has been affected by the economic slowdown with a 7 % drop in activity. The sectors that import large volumes of freight from the Asia-Pacific region have not been spared. In 2007, this region remains the main engine of world logistics with an annual growth of over 11 % year on year. China, and also Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia are pulling markets upwards. “Until now, contract logistics has escaped, even in the United States where the transport industry has resisted well. But world markets will inevitably be affected by the credit crunch and the loss of consumer confidence”, concludes John Manners-Bell, the chairman of Transport Intelligence.