Freight transport demand by mode and group of goods

Generic metadata

Classification

Identification

Rapidly growing demand

Freight transport demand has grown significantly since 1992, thereby making it increasingly difficult to reduce the environmental consequences of transport. Interestingly, for the first time freight transport volume fell in the 15 old member states in 2003. However, this is probably temporary, as partial 2004 data suggest an 8 % increase from the previous year (preliminary Eurostat data).

Modal split in freight transport

The share of alternative modes (rail and inland waterways) in freight transport has declined during the last decade. As a result, the objective of stabilising the shares of rail, inland waterways, short sea shipping and oil pipelines, and to make for a shift of balance from 2010 onwards, outlined in the Common Transport Policy (CTP) will not be achieved unless a strong reversal of the current trend (see figure 1) is achieved.

For more information, see the attached pdf files.