International road haulage up for first time in years

The increase was realised in both domestic and international transport. In 2017, international road transport from and to the Netherlands grew again for the first time, after two years of decline. As a result of increased trade, Dutch hauliers transported 3.5 percent more goods across the border. In recent years, Dutch hauliers have experienced more and more competition from Central and Eastern European hauliers in cross-border road transport to and from the Netherlands.

Mainly more construction goods transported

Construction goods account for one-fifth of total weight carried by Dutch hauliers. These goods in particular were transported more in 2017. One-third of the increase in weight transported by Dutch hauliers was attributable to transport of sand, gravel, building materials and other construction-related goods.
In addition, transport of petroleum products, chemical products, fertilisers and general cargo contributed to the increase in road haulage.

Commercial road haulage at highest level ever

Out of each 100 tonnes of goods carried by Dutch lorries, 80 were transported by commercial road hauliers. In 2017, they transported 2.8 percent more goods than one year previously.
Never before was total weight carried by Dutch commercial road hauliers this high. They transported more goods both domestically and internationally. Last year, weight carried in private transport fell by 3.2 percent to 132 million tonnes.

Shorter distances

The increase in weight transported in 2017 was offset by a decline in mileage. Last year, mileage dropped for the third consecutive year by just under 2 percent. Dutch lorry drivers transport goods over increasingly short distances.