Axel spent 8 years managing transport operations for a 9-figure European manufacturer, then 4 years as Commercial Director at a global forwarder. He now shares insights from both shipper and carrier sides, and enjoys the occasional piña colada.
When CS3D entered into force on July 25, 2024, European shippers gained something they've been dreading: another compliance deadline. But here's what most missed - the first wave of CS3D compliance has been delayed from July 2027 to July 2028, and the Commission adopted an Omnibus
A mid-sized German automotive parts manufacturer had their procurement team spending 240 hours on each annual transport tender, managing responses from 25 carriers across 12 countries. Sound familiar? Only 17% of companies report being fully automated, while 96% are using generative AI somewhere in their transport operations. This disconnect reveals
European road freight rates declined significantly in Q1 2025, with contract rates falling 2.3 points quarter-on-quarter and spot rates dropping more sharply by 3.8 points. Yet this downward pressure masks a more complex story for procurement professionals. The balance of power currently favours shippers, faced with carriers heading
That Tuesday morning procurement team meeting just got more expensive. Your transport manager shows slides filled with carrier quotes and spreadsheets, explaining why this quarter's freight costs are 12% higher than expected. Again. The European TMS market is growing at a CAGR of 12.1%, reaching €2.1
The numbers tell a stark story: European road freight spot rates fell 3.8 points quarter-on-quarter to 134.1 points in Q1 2025, while contract rates dropped 2.3 points to 131.1. But before you celebrate these declining rates, consider what's building beneath the surface. The EU
CBAM will apply in its definitive regime from 2026, with a transitional phase of 2023 to 2025. Yet most European manufacturers are treating this like another compliance checkbox instead of the strategic opportunity it represents. If your business imports more than €150 worth of these products, you will be in
The market dynamics have shifted decisively in your favor. European road freight contract rates fell by 2.3 points quarter on quarter in Q1 2025, while spot rates declined more sharply by 3.8 points. New EU truck registrations also fell by 16%, with Germany and France experiencing double-digit reductions
European shippers have reached a decision point that will determine their competitive position for the next decade. The European transportation management systems market, valued at USD 2.70 billion in 2022, is growing at 12.1% annually and forecasted to reach €2.1 billion in 2028, yet over 60% of
The integration maze facing European manufacturers and wholesalers with €10M+ transport spends has reached a breaking point. USA Truck discovered their EDI tools couldn't scale when they expanded their carrier network from 200 to 500+ partners. Processing times increased from 2 minutes to 45 minutes for standard load
European shippers face a unique window of opportunity in 2025. Contract rates dropped 2.3 points and spot rates fell 3.8 points quarter-on-quarter in Q1 2025, while 426,000 truck driver positions remain unfilled across Europe. This creates an unusual paradox: transport cost management becomes easier in the short
You've just signed off on a €200,000 TMS platform to handle ICS2 Release 3 compliance that went live September 1, 2025. Six months later, your team is still doing manual workarounds because the system can't handle the accurate and complete data required for every shipment
Coming into 2025, industry surveys showed over 426,000 unfilled truck driver positions across Europe, and without intervention this gap is projected to worsen dramatically – potentially exceeding 60% of driver positions unfilled by 2026 under current trends. For European shippers managing their own fleets, this isn't just a