Transport prices dropped by 6.8% in Q1 2016 compared to Q4 2015 in Europe, according to a report by CapGemini and Transporeon.

Main highlights of the Transport Marketing Monitor report are:

• The price index decreased by 6.8% in Q1 2016 (index 91.5). Compared to the index level of the previous year, Q1 2015 the price index dropped by 3.2%.
• In Q1 2016, the capacity index increased to 110.7 (25.0%), the highest value since Q1 2014 (index 114.4). 
• The diesel index dropped to the lowest value since its measurements began in January 2008: an index of 59.1. The index is 22.7% lower than Q1 2015. 

Erik van Dort, supply chain director at Capgemini notes: “The Q1 figures are pretty much in line with what we normally see. Most remarkable is that although there was plenty of capacity and the diesel index is on an all time low, the carriers managed to get a decent price for their services.”

Peter Förster, Managing Director of Transporeon, added: “A price index of 91.5 and capacity index of 110.7 are typical for the first quarter of a year. Similar values were also reached in 2012, 2013, and 2014. In the first quarter of 2015, a tendency toward high capacities and low prices was also noted, but with smaller fluctuation. Here, the shortened weeks before and after Easter already demonstrated their effect in Q1. Even if the capacities fall and the prices rise again for Q2 due to the season, we assume that this effect will be lessened this year.”

The Transport Market Monitor by Transporeon and Capgemini Consulting is a quarterly publication that aims to track transport market dynamics.

It aims to provide insights in the development of transport prices, and other transport market dynamics to logistics executives and other interest groups.

25th May 2016