Road transport in serious difficulty, according to bosses

The Union is "sounding the alarm" because "the cash flow of carriers has become strained and the sector's failures are now historically high".

"For over a year and a half, road freight transport has been experiencing persistent difficulties. The economic situation in the sector is particularly poor, due to a lack of demand, while operating costs are still increasing sharply," explains the TLF Union in a press release.

In total, 603 freight transport companies were subject to collective proceedings in the second quarter of 2, an increase of 2024% over one year and 45% over two years, according to the company Ellisphere and the magazine L'Officiel des Transporteurs.

This wave "far exceeds the post-Covid catch-up", analyses the TLF Union.

Due to a lack of demand, the business climate has been below its long-term average for 21 consecutive months in the road transport sector, the Union explains.

At the same time, the production costs of transporters continue to rise sharply: +5,4% over one year in July 2024 excluding diesel, according to the National Road Committee. "Added to this are regular crises that hit the sector hard: pension movements, farmers' crisis, bad weather, port blockades," the bosses emphasize.

"We are struck by the gap between the political debate this fall and the reality of our businesses," stressed Eric Hémar, president of the giant ID Logistics and of the Union TLF, quoted in the press release.

"An economic crisis has been hitting our sector hard for over a year now. This situation is jeopardizing many companies, particularly the smallest ones, and with them, the employment and vitality of our territories. The TLF Union is calling for a surge that prioritizes the defense of the competitiveness of our companies and full employment," stressed Mr. Hémar.

The TLF Union is calling for the draft finance bill to include a reduction in taxation for transport companies, the elimination of the unemployment insurance bonus-malus, and the maintenance of public support for the greening of truck fleets.