Diesel Cost Increase
Between January and March 2024, the cost of diesel fuel has increased by 4,1%. This increase has brought the unit cost per kilometre travelled for a general cargo articulated vehicle to €1,31/km, rising to €1,54/km when loaded. On average, costs have increased by 4,2% compared to the same period of the previous year, according to data from the Observatories of costs, prices and activity of road freight transport, published by the Ministry of Transport.
Impact on Cost Structure
Fuel has become more important in the structure of operating costs, representing 31,3% of the total operating costs of a general cargo articulated vehicle. This percentage is almost equal to that of staff and per diem, which constitutes 31,7% of total costs. Currently, the annual operating cost of a vehicle of these characteristics amounts to 157.973,56 euros.
Prices and Transport Activity
As for the prices received by transport companies, the first quarter of 2024 showed an annual increase of 1,4%, although there was a decrease compared to the last quarter of 2023. Prices for transports of up to 50 and 100 kilometres increased by 4,4%, and those of more than 300 km, by 1,0%. On the contrary, prices for journeys between 100 and 200 km decreased by 2,1%.
Decline in Freight Transport Activity
Activity in the road freight transport sector continues to reflect a downward trend. According to the weekly survey carried out by the Ministry of Transport on 1000 transporters from different sectors and specialties, a new reduction in activity has been noted, adding to the falls of previous quarters. During the first quarter of 2024, the tonne-kilometres produced have fallen by 6,4% compared to the same period last year. The data is negative both in short-distance transport (-7,6%) and in national transport (-9,0%) and international transport (-2,3%).
In addition, there has been a 5,7% decrease in tonnes transported. In short-distance transport, the decline is 6,8%, while in international transport, the fall is 4,1%.
Source: After Sales VI
