Why this Briefing stands out
- Built on operational volume (tkm), not market value: Most reports focus on revenue. This briefing uses tonne-kilometres — a direct measure of transport activity – making it actionable for capacity planning, fleet sizing and network decisions.
- Grounded in historical precedent: The briefing draws on lessons from the 1990 Gulf War, the 2008 financial crisis, and the 2022 Ukraine energy shock to contextualise the current disruption and frame what recovery could look like.
- Institutional vantage point: Produced by IRU, the world road transport organisation, this analysis reflects a unique position between industry and governments, combining public data, regulatory expertise, and on-the-ground sector insight into a neutral, credible perspective.
Who is it for?
Transport operators & logistics providers: Plan capacity against realistic demand scenarios, benchmark your empty miles and payload utilisation against EU and country-level data, and anticipate where regulatory costs will hit hardest.
Shippers, retailers & manufacturers: Anticipate transport cost trajectories, identify which corridors are tightening, and build procurement strategies that hold up under continued fuel price and tariff volatility.
Service providers, consultants & financial institutions: Identify where freight demand is growing and where it is contracting, assess corridor-level risk exposure, and support investment decisions with credible, data-backed scenarios.
Vehicle & equipment manufacturers: Align production and sales strategies with realistic fleet renewal trends and the regulatory milestones shaping operator purchasing decisions towards 2030.
What is it for?
Full 46-page briefing contents:
- Chap 1: Freight markets in times of energy and geopolitical shocks
- Chap 2: 2024 road freight volumes based on latest available data
- Chap 3: Road transport efficiency as a key lever
