Netherlands Freight and Logistics Market - Growth, Trends, and Forecasts (2020 - 2025)

The Netherlands is often referred to as Gateway to Europe. The country is a major player in the European freight landscape and is considered one of the most prominent logistics hubs for products entering and exiting the European Union.

The Dutch logistics industry plays a significant role in the trade of the country and is one of the established industries in Europe, with the highest logistic service providers (LSPs) that provide an ultimate logistic supply chain.

The Netherlands is firmly entrenched as Europe’s leading facilitator of global trade. While its domestic logistics market is important to its economy, the country is also comparatively more exposed than any other country in Europe to economic conditions across the region and indeed globally.

The total freight (domestic, international, and transit) transported in Netherlands has increased steadily over the years driven by increase in global trade and growth in construction sector.

Netherlands makes the most use of its extensive intermodal network to move all the freight that crosses its borders with major share of the imports operating through the Port of Rotterdam or Amsterdam Airport Schiphol for distribution throughout the EU.

The United Kingdom left the European Union and entered a transition period, with uncertainty about the economic new relation and the effects on international business exists. More and more companies are opting for the Netherlands because of Brexit.

Key Market Trends

E-Commerce Market to Drive Growth in the Sector

The Ecommerce in the Netherlands was worth EUR 25.8 billion in the year 2019. This represents an increment of 7% compared to 2018. The Dutch online retail industry grew mostly because of an increase in online grocery purchases.

However, the 7 % growth observed in 2019 is lower when compared with the past years, when the e-commerce market grew with double-digit numbers. But it is a sign that e-commerce is maturing. For example, the online retail industry in the Netherlands now accounts for 10.3 percent of the country’s total retail industry.

The container volume growth in the Netherlands is mostly driven by E-commerce. With a strong logistical infrastructure, and it's economy healthy and growing, E-commerce, both nationally and cross-border, is on the rise. ​

By the 2019-year start, the Netherlands has almost 96% of its total population availing e-commerce. When compared with 2018, the total number of online purchases reached 258 million and has witnessed a growth of 4%. However, the number of online buyers stayed practically the same, with 96% of Dutch aged 15 years and older that made at least one online purchase last year.

With the stats above, it can be inferred that there was an increase in the average amount spent per online buyer when compared with 2018. In 2019, online shoppers in the Netherlands spent 9% more on products (than in 2018) and 4% more on services.

The food category is a key driver for the Dutch ecommerce industry. In 2019, online expenditure in this category grew 24% compared to 2018. Product categories such as shoes & personal lifestyle witnessed a tremendous growth of 19% and consumer electronics observed a significant growth of 16%.

Around 94% of the revenue generated in the e-commerce segment is from the domestic segment and 6% is of cross-border. The cross-border segment in the e-commerce sector is expected to observe growth during the forecast period. E-commerce growth in the country has led to increasing demand for logistics spaces. With the strong growth in the e-commerce industry, the Italian market has observed expansion of outsourced warehousing services.

Strategic geographic location with connected infrastructure facilitates growth of the market

The Dutch logistics industry plays a significant role in the trade of the country and is one of the established industries in Europe, with the highest logistic service providers (LSPs) that provide an ultimate logistic supply chain.

The sophisticated and reliable transport infrastructure in all modes of transportation and proximity to Europe’s major consumer and industrial markets makes the country the logistics hub of Europe. The Netherlands has dense road infrastructure and accounts for 14% of the international road transport in Europe.

The country is a hub for foreign-owned logistics and distribution operations. It is a gateway to Europe and home to an abundance of European and regional distribution centers across a multitude of industries like Agri/food, fashion, and medical technology.

Driven by world-class seaports, centrally located airports, and an extensive, and modern network of roads and highways, the country’s logistics infrastructure and presence of major logistics service are advantages for businesses to set their operations in the country.

Moreover, the country’s geographical location makes it possible to reach around 170 million consumers within 24 hours. These factors support the growth of the freight logistics and transport sector.

Competitive Landscape

The freight and logistics market in the Netherlands is fiercely competitive, fragmented in nature with the presence of many international and domestic companies. The top players in the segment include DHL, DB Schenker among international players and, Peter Appel, Vos Loos among domestic players.

Given the excellent infrastructure in the Netherlands with every major logistics park within 3km of a highway and within 15 km of a rail or inland barge terminal, trimodal transport services are optioned to be common. Possible shortages in the labor force and available plots, and with each of the top 100 logistics providers trying to stay in the market, the sector is set for innovation and this can be termed as a major driving factor too.

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