‘Catch-up effect’ sees French combined transport increase 16% in H1

Rail-road combined transport in France increased by 16 per cent in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, according to data published by industry body, the GNTC. This strong growth can be explained by a “catch-up effect,” as in the first-half of 2023 activity was negatively impacted by lengthy industrial action, driving down traffic.

However, despite the marked recovery in H1 2024, which saw traffic reach 11.9 billion tonne-kilometres, it is still well below the 13 billion t/k recorded in the same period in 2022. Other than the H1 report, the GNTC has also published the main takeaways from its Business Climate Index – based on feedback from members during the current month. This revealed an outlook “between neutral and positive.”

Among the surveyed companies, 49 per cent believe that they will see their turnover increase in the coming months, 66 per cent intend to make new investments while 61 per cent are planning to recruit staff. “These percentages have risen significantly since our last survey at the end of 2023”, the GNTC noted.

Uncertainties remain ahead

Aurelien Barbé, the GNTC’s general secretary, said that although the growth in traffic and the more upbeat mood among ‘combi’ operators was “encouraging ”, political upheaval in France was weighing on the industry’s outlook. “As we enter the autumn period, we have plenty of unknowns to contend with. France has been without a government for over two months, a historic and unprecedented situation that is fuelling questions and uncertainties in our industry”, Barbé said.

He continued: “What fate awaits the 2025 State budget and the aid that is vital to the operations and competitiveness of our members’ companies ? What about the €4 billion investment programme (Ulysses Fret) announced for rail freight and combined transport and running until 2032, France’s strategy for decarbonising transport, especially in the road haulage sector and also the country’s position with regard to the revision of number of directives at EU level?”