Continued growth for transport turnover in third quarter 2012

Turnover in the Dutch transport sector grew by just over 3 percent in the third quarter of 2012 compared with the same quarter in 2011. It was the tenth quarter in a row that turnover in this sector rose. Most branches saw business rise. In spite of the continuing turnover growth, the number of bankruptcies in the sector was double that of twelve months previously.

Turnover in transport sector

Most branches realise higher turnover

In spite of the weak Dutch economy, turnover grew in most branches in the third quarter. For air transporters it rose by nearly 9 percent compared with twelve months previously, largely as a result of an increase in passenger transport. Courier services also saw business rise, pushed up partly by increasing online sales. Agents in goods transport, including many forwarding agents and road hauliers also increased their turnover in the third quarter of 2012 compared with the same quarter in the previous year.

Poorer results for removal companies and inland shipping

The stagnant Dutch housing market means there is less work for removal companies. Their turnover fell by 3 percent compared with the third quarter of 2011. For inland shipping, the volume of goods to be transported was smaller, resulting in a turnover decrease of over 5 percent.

Turnover in various branches within transport sector, third quarter 2012

Bankruptcies doubled in transport sector

The number of bankruptcies in the transport sector was more than double the number in the same period in 2011. In the third quarter of 2012, 146 companies were pronounced bankrupt, twelve months previously this was 69. In the first three quarters of 2012, 376 companies had gone bankrupt. This is already more than the 343 companies pronounced bankrupt in the whole of 2011.

Bankruptcies in transport sector

Robbert de Ruijter