Market share stabilised in European overland transport

DHL Freight is the second-largest overland freight forwarder in Europe and the Middle East, with approximately 10,000 employees and services in more than 53 countries. We see ourselves as a broker of freight capacity. In the overland transport business, we provide full-truckload, part-truckload and less-than-truckload services. We also offer intermodal services with other carriers, especially rail transport companies. Moreover, our range of services includes handling customs formalities and providing insurance.

DHL is also one of the leading providers of trade fair, exhibition and event logistics. Our range of services includes trade fair transport and customised full-service solutions for exhibitors, event organisers, event management and staging companies and event agencies.

In 2008, the European market for road transport grew by 1.3% (previous year: approximately 4.2%) even though the financial crisis had begun affecting the entire transport industry in the fourth quarter of 2008. The decline in demand continued in the first half of 2009, amounting to an average of 20% to 25% on the previous year. Overcapacity also put pressure on freight rates, although conditions began easing in mid-2009. Still, total quantities transported dropped by nearly one-sixth during the year under review. We were able to stabilise our market share at 2.1% according to our calculations.