Merchandise transportation in 2008. Directions and challenges

Romania’s joining to the EU in 2007 led to new challenges for the road transportation operators. The authorizations problem doesn’t exist any more, but problems related to the management of the transportation companies appeared. These companies must find rapidly solutions for keeping the labor force and for a more efficient activity, especially by developing the provided services.

The fact that, on the Romanian market already appeared important transportation companies from the neighboring countries, who are transferring trucks in Romania in order to use the Romanian labor force paid at national standards, has created numerous dysfunctions on the labor market in this domain.

However, the lack of any minimum conditions for registering in the Operator’s Transportation Registry, determined the increase of the small operators’ number, with one-two trucks.

Romania’s joining to the EU in 2007 led to new challenges for the road transportation operators. The authorizations problem doesn’t exist any more, but problems related to the management of the transportation companies appeared. These companies must find rapidly solutions for keeping the labor force and for a more efficient activity, especially by developing the provided services.

The fact that, on the Romanian market already appeared important transportation companies from the neighboring countries, who are transferring trucks in Romania in order to use the Romanian labor force paid at national standards, has created numerous dysfunctions on the labor market in this domain.

However, the lack of any minimum conditions for registering in the Operator’s Transportation Registry, determined the increase of the small operators’ number, with one-two trucks.

The increasing number of the transportation companies determined a sudden decrease of the prices for these services. Apparently not bad, we’ll say, but offering prices that cannot cover the transportation expenses can determine a long-term elimination from the market of the transportation companies that invest in their own parking or logistic parks; meaning, the elimination from the market of those transportation companies which developed in time. This situation already sets into action the professional associations from this field of activity, which prepare themselves for trials against all those that practice dumping prices.

On the other hand, we mustn’t forget the fact that Romania slowly becomes an important transition area for Bulgarian, Serbian and Ukrainian transportation companies. Until last year, the Ministry of Transportation didn’t limited in any way the transportation companies from non-UE countries, like the last two mentioned above. But let’s don’t forget the fact that, when Romanian transportation companies delivered merchandise abroad, the EU member States allowed the transportation, only if EURO3 trucks were used.

This kind of restriction doesn’t exist today for foreign transportation companies that load and unload the merchandise in Romania. Thus, the profile associations should act rapidly, because Romania is, at present, invaded by polluting and unsafe trucks.

As you can see, the road transportation domain is announced to be a tumultuous one, full of menaces and challenges in 2008. Will the authorities manage to bring more clarity and especially stability this year, in this so vital domain? We will follow the phenomenon and we’ll keep you updated…