Transport of goods by road has stopped decreasing in the second half of 2009

European road freight’s decline is levelling off. However, in the fourth quarter of 2009, it remained 3% below its level in the corresponding quarter in 2008 for national transport and 2% down for international transport. Road freight prices have been under pressure since peaking in the third quarter of 2008. In the fourth quarter of 2009, they were 2% below their level in the corresponding quarter of 2008. A number of new Member States invested heavily in road freight transport in 2005-2007. Turnover and employment continued their growth in 2008. New Member States tightened their grip on the European cross-trade market in 2008. Poland accounted for 23% of the EU total cross-trade, followed by the Czech Republic and Slovakia with 9% each. Hauliers in Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands were the cabotage leaders. However, hauliers in the new Member States increased their share of the cabotage market. Cabotage also began to creep into the transport markets of some of the new Member States.