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IRU’s new Intelligence Briefing analyses the most recent EU road freight figures and provides a forecast up to 2030.

Change is gaining momentum. From breaking cultural barriers to rethinking recruitment, industry leaders are stepping up to drive progress. Inspiring women from the sector shared their experiences and insights during our recent webinar.

IRU has presented key findings from an EU study on the recruitment of third-country professional drivers at the final STEER2EU workshop. The study, entrusted to IRU by the European Commission, supports efforts to tackle Europe’s growing driver shortage.

The Upply x Ti x IRU European road freight rates index shows that the contract index rose by 2.8 points quarter on quarter (q-o-q) in Q4 2024, while the spot rate index increased by 0.5 points. Year on year (y-o-y), the spot and contract indices are down by 1.0 point and 1.4 points, respectively.

IRU member the American Trucking Associations (ATA) has been calculating the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership since the 1970s. Here are the results for December 2024.

Get ahead in 2025: IRU’s intelligence webinars are helping road transport actors forecast trends, tackle challenges and plan smartly for the year ahead.

In this IRU Intelligence Briefing, we delve into the key trends shaping road transport in the EU: Which types of goods dominate road freight? How do trip distances vary by product category? What are the main trade routes within the EU, and which goods flow across them?

The trucking industry continues to face a chronic shortage of drivers. Together with leading transport companies, IRU unpacked key trends and solutions during its latest driver shortage webinar.

At the Zakat, Tax and Customs Conference today, IRU’s Secretary General underscored the importance of digitalising trade and called on other countries to emulate Saudi Arabia's success in maximising the benefits of the TIR system.

Public and private sector leaders came together in Turkmenistan to chart a sustainable future for global road transport, with a focus on driver shortages, decarbonisation and digitalisation.

IRU member the American Trucking Associations (ATA) has been calculating the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership since the 1970s.

At their annual meeting, IRU Academy Associate Training Institutes (ATIs) from around the world explored the critical role of harmonisation, innovation and transparency in fostering a skilled professional road transport workforce.

With driver shortages showing no sign of easing, IRU highlighted the win-win potential of third-country drivers at the EU Labour Mobility Practitioners’ Network Conference.

The key distinction between young bus and truck drivers and private car drivers lies in the professional nature of their activity. In letters addressed to Council and Parliament negotiators, IRU has challenged the misconceptions underpinning the minimum driving age debate during the Driving Licence Directive revision.

Supported by IRU, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Transport, in his capacity as COP29 transport lead, and ministers from around the world have committed to advancing the Middle Corridor as a model for sustainable, interconnected, digital and resilient development.

On the opening day of the Conftransporto International Forum, IRU’s Secretary General underscored the resilience that road transport brings to communities and businesses during unstable times.

The IRU General Assembly and council meetings in Geneva last week brought together IRU members from around the world to discuss pressing road transport challenges, share solutions and elect the organisation’s new leadership.

Industry leaders and Members of the European Parliament meet today to discuss and define the next steps for the EU commercial road transport sector.

At the opening of Lithuania’s annual International Transport Innovation Forum, IRU stressed key measures to raise resilience, focusing on driver shortages, decarbonisation and digitalisation.

IRU member the American Trucking Associations (ATA) has been calculating the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership since the 1970s.

Fuel accounts for a third of a road transport operator’s costs. Emissions trading, taxes, supply uncertainty and alternative fuels will all impact fuel prices in the EU. Where are we headed?

IRU member the American Trucking Associations (ATA) has been calculating the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership since the 1970s.

The European road freight rates index shows that Q2 rates fell in the contract index by 1.3 points quarter on quarter. In contrast, the spot rate index rose by 3.5 points quarter on quarter.

Road freight operators are spending more on wages, equipment and services. This article, based on the latest IRU Intelligence Briefing, breaks down their investments and costs.

As the new European Parliament sits for the first time, IRU looks forward to working with MEPs to drive a more sustainable, efficient and innovative EU road transport sector. Priority policy actions are outlined in IRU’s Manifesto.

Both road freight spot and contract rates fell in Q1 2024. Here are three key trends shaping European freight rates right now.

Which EU countries have the highest volumes of imports and exports by road? Where are the busiest country-to-country corridors? Which transport modes are moving the most imports and exports inside the EU and between the EU and other countries? Are trends changing over time? How much road freight moves by combined transport – using more than one mode of transport – across the EU, and in individual countries? This Intelligence Briefing breaks down modal split and combined freight transport trends

The trucking industry is facing a chronic shortage of drivers. How are companies dealing with it? IRU member CEVA Logistics has turned its focus inward to reduce their exposure to the risks associated with driver shortages.

IRU member CANACAR discussed the role of women in Mexico’s trucking industry and elected new leaders at its General Assembly.

IRU’s new European truck driver shortage report has found that over half of operators are unable to expand their business due to the shortage of drivers.

The EU has a remarkably versatile truck fleet consisting of over 6.75 million vehicles. This IRU Intelligence Briefing unpacks this figure, looking at vehicle age, distribution, configuration, usage versus capacity, and much more.

The Upply x Ti x IRU European road freight rates index shows that the Q4 spot rate index was down 14.8 points year over year. However, the quarter-over-quarter fall in the contractual rates index was limited to 0.9 points, due to high costs and, in particular, the toll increases in Q4 2023.

In 2023, IRU, backed with on-the-ground information from its members, continued to report and analyse global driver shortages: a chronic issue threatening mobility networks and supply chains. This article offers an overview of some of IRU’s efforts to analyse the situation, raise awareness and advance solutions.

The Upply x Ti x IRU European road freight rates index for Europe shows that the Contract Rate Index is down 0.2 points quarter on quarter, although it remains up 2.8 points year on year. Meanwhile, the Spot Rate Index is down 3.5 points quarter on quarter and down 7.5 points year on year.

Two new features have been added to the Intelligence Platform: fuel prices for compressed natural gas and an interactive map to view all driving restrictions along a trip.