The BLV-pro Calls on Shippers and Clients for Fair Payment

The Federal Association of Logistics & Transport-pro e.V. issues an appeal to shippers and clients for fair payment and not to exploit the current market situation. Generally, freight volumes are slightly lower at the beginning of the year until the economy returns to normal operating temperature. The BLV-pro points out the long-term consequences of price dumping. The campaign carries the motto: “Cut to the bone – and the journey is over!”

The appeal including slogan in the original wording

We receive complaints and grievances about the current freight price development almost daily. Traditionally, the transport volume decreases after the holidays – this is countered by an excess of available cargo space, leading many market participants to be offered dumping prices by shippers and clients.

However, the circumstances for German transport companies have become very challenging in recent years; in addition to the displacement in the freight market due to the invasion of foreign carriers and the shortage of drivers, costs have risen massively. Given the enormous increase in costs for carriers, accompanied by inflation, it is only a matter of time before the last transport company based in Germany and the professional drivers disappear.

The state is also a cost driver, as it has not provided companies with support in coping with the rise in fuel prices (unlike Poland and France) and has now imposed CO2 pricing as an additional burden for the new year. Fuel costs are a central cost factor in the calculations of transport companies.

Small and medium-sized enterprises threatened by insolvency

Until the beginning of the Corona pandemic, profit margins in the transport industry were already very meager; the cost increases of this magnitude could not be “simply brushed aside” or ignored without quickly jeopardizing the substance of the company. Many small and medium-sized enterprises are directly and indirectly threatened by insolvency.

We appeal to clients and shippers not to exploit the market situation and to treat and pay for transport and business partners fairly.

Because eventually, the last German transport entrepreneur will also disappear…

Then it will be: “Cut to the bone – and the journey is over!”

Photo: © BLV-pro