Volume growth in transport and logistics continues, but the worst growth spurt is over. So predicts the ING Economics Bureau. Domestic logistics are in good shape, but international demand for transport and logistics is developing less generously.
The ING Economics Bureau expects demand from clients to rise by an average of 1.8 per cent in 2016 and 2017. This is mainly due to the booming Dutch economy. Road transport will benefit from increasing construction production and rising consumer spending. However, turnover growth will lag behind in much of the sector.
International demand for transport and logistics is also slowing down, due to weak international trade. Dutch exports are growing more through services than goods. This is reflected in companies operating in the ports, according to ING.
Digitalisation challenge for logistics service providers
The golden years also seem to be over for logistics service providers. In recent years, they did well due to strong export growth and outsourcing by shippers. Those times now seem to be over, especially as clients want to do more themselves due to digitalisation. "Logistics service providers grew twice as fast as average at 3% annually for the past 15 years, but due to slower trade growth and less outsourcing, that is now over," explains Rico Luman, Sector Economist Transport and Logistics.
According to ING, digitisation is radically changing product chains, ensuring that clients can and want to do more themselves. "Logistics service providers will have to invest in larger automated warehouses, ICT and analytics quality to continue to make a difference in the digital world."
Editorial LogistiekProfs
