Fuel prices are the biggest worry for transport companies, with haulage rates failing to keep up, according to a report published by the Freight Transport Association.
The association’s “Manager’s Guide to Distribution Costs 2011” says that the cost of diesel for commercial vehicle fleets rose by 15.6 per cent in the twelve months to 1 April 2011. The second biggest increase was in the cost of overheads, followed by vehicle maintenance.
The total rise in vehicle operating costs to 6.8 per cent outstripped the rise in domestic haulage rates, which increased by an average of 3.41 per cent. International haulage rates increased on average by 5.40 per cent.
Bruce Goodhart, FTA research analyst said: “The high and rising cost of fuel continues to put companies under considerable financial pressure. With haulage rates failing to keep up with increasing vehicle operating costs, profit margins are being squeezed and jobs put at risk, hampering economic recovery.”