2017 will be another year of growth for the transport and logistics sector. Unlike previous years, the growth will mainly come from inland. Road transport is reaping the benefits of this, writes the ING Economics Bureau in a forecast for 2017.
The bank expects growth of 2 per cent for next year. This is a decrease compared to this year, when volume in the industry increased by 2.5 per cent. The growth in 2017 is due to growing demand from clients in the construction, supermarket and hospitality sectors. This is positive for road transport, which is largely concentrated within a circle of 200 to 300 kilometres. In international transport, growth is actually slowing down. "International uncertainty, protectionism and the upcoming brexit are putting pressure on the sector. Partly because of this, the strongly growing logistics services no longer show above-average growth," ING says.
Growth limited in logistics services
Indeed, the volume growth of logistics services remained limited to 2 per cent. Especially the rapid digitalisation and development of online sales has a big impact on logistics service providers. The growth of online sales is both an opportunity and a threat for logistics service providers, according to the outlook. Etailers are trying to differentiate themselves from their competitors with logistics. However, this penchant for logistical perfection combined with data analysis is also causing players like Coolblue to stop outsourcing their logistics. Logistics service providers must ensure that they remain innovative and can offer enough added value as specialists, ING advises.
Logistics hotspot
The South of the Netherlands remains an important logistics hotspot. Its good connection to the Western European hinterland makes it an attractive location for large European distribution centres. Despite international uncertainty, exports are holding up well in 2017. The ING also expects container transport via the port of Rotterdam to enter a better phase in 2017.
A point of attention for the whole sector remains price pressure. "Despite freight volumes having recovered, transport and logistics companies continue to lose out in price negotiations." Costs are expected to rise further in 2017, testing the sector's recovery. ING stresses that in a cost-driven sector, companies can distinguish themselves with professionalism and entrepreneurship.
Editorial LogistiekProfs
