German premium car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz’s decision to cut its freight costs by 10% from 1 February, resulting in a corresponding reduction in freight rates, has caused uproar among the country’s SME road hauliers serving the industry [The Loadstar]
They see the move as squeezing already slim margins further.
Industry federation BGL claimed such a move, thought to be industry-wide, lacke legitimacy and it would push its members out of a market of «ruinous» rates in favour of low-cost providers from Eastern Europe.
The July 2024 Ocean Freight Market Update highlights the current trends and developments affecting global shipping, with a specific focus on demand, capacity, rates, and regulatory impacts
Main insights for the first half of January 2025
