Report: Western Europe ?06 contract logistics market 49 billion euros

Report: Western Europe Æ06 contract logistics market 49 billion euros The contract logistics market in Western Europe grew 6.7 percent in 2006 to reach 49 billion euros ($66 billion), according to a new report by U.K.-based research organization Transport Intelligence.
   The report, European Transport and Logistics Markets 2007, highlighted the Nordic region as having the highest rates of growth, with Finland in particular prospering from increasing trade with Russia.
   Expansion in the more mature markets was slower, said Transport Intelligence. In Germany, low domestic demand resulted in below average growth despite buoyant imports and exports. In Spain the drivers of contract logistics market growth were reversed with strong domestic consumption making up for relatively low levels of international trade.
   In France the contract logistics sector outperformed the overall logistics market as a result of a higher take up of outsourcing and demand for higher value-added services. The Netherlands benefited from global trade due to its popular location for European distribution centers, although domestic demand was weak.
   The report also found that the U.K. contract logistics sector experienced above-average growth, strongly influenced by buoyant international logistics activity as well as domestic demand growth.
   “On the whole, it was another strong year for the contract logistics industry in Europe. Most countries experienced solid growth, with markets at the periphery of the region enjoying the most significant development, albeit from a smaller base,” said John Manners-Bell, chief analyst at Transport Intelligence.