Record Growth in 2021
Romania, a country in Southeast Europe, is witnessing significant growth in the freight transport sector. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics, the turnover of local freight carriers reached a record €15 billion in 2021. This performance is mainly attributed to the increase in the volume of transported goods in the country, rising by 14% compared to the previous year, reaching 449 million tons.
Road Transport: The Dominant Force
Road freight transport dominates in Romania, representing two-thirds of the total volume of goods transported. In 2021, this sector experienced a 15.1% increase, with a volume of 307 million tons. This growth stems from the growing demand of local businesses and improvements in the country’s road infrastructure.
Rail Transport: Sustained Growth
Rail freight transport also recorded significant growth in 2021, increasing by 15.6% compared to the previous year. The total volume of goods transported by rail amounts to 57.4 million tons, a result of investments in railway infrastructure and a focus on intermodal transport development.
Maritime and River Transport: Encouraging Rise
In 2021, maritime transport registered a growth of 12.5%, reaching a total volume of 53 million tons, while river transport increased by 5.2%, totaling 32 million tons. These figures attest to the growing importance of waterways in Romania and the increasing efficiency of maritime transport.
“In 2020, turnover decreased due to behavioral changes related to the Covid-19 crisis. For 2021, we anticipate a rebound, even a significant advance, based on the increasing transported volumes.” – Diana Florescu, economic analyst at KeysFin.
Rise in Net Income
In addition to the turnover growth, the net income of freight transport companies in Romania has also increased significantly. Between 2019 and 2021, net income increased by 60%, reaching an even more substantial increase of 135% since 2016, with a historical record of over €800 million in 2020.
Increase in the Number of Companies
The freight transport sector in Romania is also experiencing an increase in the number of companies. Between 2019 and 2020, the number of companies increased by 7%, reaching a total increase of 27% since 2016. In 2020, there were 44,500 companies in the freight transport industry in Romania. However, the number of employees experienced a slight decrease of 2%, totaling 184,000 employees.
Future Perspectives
The development of road infrastructure in Romania is essential to improve the prospects of the freight transport sector. Although the country still faces challenges in this area, continuous investments in roads and highways are expected to lead to gradual improvement. Additionally, Romania benefits from a strategic geographical position, making it a hub for international trade.
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Freight Transport in Romania
The freight transport sector in Romania is experiencing record growth in 2021, with a turnover of €15 billion. Road transport dominates, followed by rail, maritime, and river transport. The net income of companies also reflects the sector’s robust health. With the development of road infrastructure and its strategic geographical position, Romania offers numerous opportunities in the field of freight transport.
