DB Schenker No 1 in Europe in road transport report

DB SCHENKER has been ranked the largest overland transport operator in Europe, according to Transport Intelligence's latest report, European Road Transport & Logistics 2009.

When taking into account all road and rail freight revenues, the German freight giant was almost twice the size of its nearest rival, SNCF (Transport & Logistics) in second place. DHL Freight was in third, a TI statement said.

The report also found that the European market as a whole, grew by 3.8 per cent in 2008. This was said to be influenced by growth in volumes in the early part of the year and rising fuel prices. "The slump in volumes which road and rail freight operators have experienced in the second half of 2008 and the beginning of 2009 will mean that it will take to 2012 for the market to recover."

"Many good companies going out of business, burdened by the social costs and taxes which governments have heaped upon them in the boom years. The danger is many good people will be lost from the industry for good," said Transport Intelligence CEO John Manners-Bell.

(Source: Shipping Online)