Count on raised transport prices – and paralyzed economic politics in 2015

The growth in Swedish haulage and transport industry is negative. Media has reported about bankruptcy or reorganizations every week since this summer. Several of the established and well-renowned businesses have also reported problems and I think it is awful.  

The transport prices need to be raised to turn the growth around and maybe there is a need for large subsidies from the government for those operating in rural parts of Sweden.

With that in mind, it almost feels unbearable that the haulage industry will suffer increased costs, in part due to the directive regarding sulphur regulation which will increase prices for freight by sea, in part due to the kilometer tax the government loves so much.    

When put together, the increased costs for these two will have the effect of raised prices for the transport industry. This will, in turn, lead to raised prices for the end consumers.

It does not feel like the kilometre tax will happen any time soon, since Stefan Löfven called for a reelection yesterday. We will just have to wait and see. The kilometer tax and other transport and logistic issues may not be the first thing on the minds of the politicians. There is a chance the Swedish economic politics will be paralyzed in 2015.

I will have reasons to get back to this subject in the future.