Freight and logistics in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) are in the throes of significant growth, according to a comprehensive analysis by Transport Intelligence. The growth has been triggered by the break up of the Soviet Union which has heralded sound economic growth.
Transport Intelligence cites the prospect of European Union accession as the most important catalyst for change. Since a number of former Soviet states joined in 2004, the EU's road network has grown by 24.4% - slightly greater growth than the expansion of the land area and the population. Motorway length has grown by only 5.6%. The rail infrastructure of the EU has grown by 31% as a result of the accession of the CEE countries.
The "Central and Eastern Europe Logistics Report 2007" notes that although the countries joining the EU in 2004 only brought about an increase in the union's GDP of 5.9%, they added 19% to transport volumes in the region. The main element of the growth is the 49% increase in rail transport. Roads account for over 75% of the logistics volume in the EU, but the accession of the Central and Eastern European countries has given rise to an increase in the proportion of goods carried by rail from 14% to 17%. Transport Intelligence analysts predict further change ahead. They argue that present transport regulations in the CEE countries are less stringent than those in Western Europe. Increasingly, the vehicle fleets will be required to improve standards of equipment, maintenance, loading, documentation and marking, and drivers will be subject to more scrutiny and testing of competence.
Also on the cards are a number of measures to reduce the pollution caused by vehicle emission and reduce road accidents. In relation to the former, the use of bio-fuels is very much on the agenda of European authorities. The EU Commission is meanwhile pressing to integrate aviation into the EU's emissions trading system. There are many details to be worked out including consistent application to both European and non-European operators and the means of application to flights travelling outside Europe.

Key statistics:

• Bulgaria
  Motorways 328 Km
  Total Railway 4,049 Km
  Total airports with paved runways 128
  
  
  
• Czech Republic
  Motorways 518 Km
  Total Railway 9,421 Km
  Total airports with paved runways 44
  
  
  
• Estonia
  Motorways 99 Km
  Total Railway 958 Km
  Total airports with paved runways 12
  
  
  
• Hungary
  Motorways 527 Km
  Total Railway 7,718 Km
  Total airports with paved runways 25
  
  
  
• Latvia
  Motorways 0 Km
  Total Railway 2,270 Km
  Total airports with paved runways 23
  
  
  
• Poland
  Motorways 399 Km
  Total Railway 21,184 Km
  Total airports with paved runways 84
  
  
  
• Lithuania
  Motorways 417 Km
  Total Railway 1,829 Km
  Total airports with paved runways 33
  
  
  
• Romania
  Motorways 228 Km
  Total Railway 10,958 KM
  Total airports with paved runways 25
  
  
  
• Slovakia
  Motorways 302 Km
  Total Railway 3,612 Km
  Total airports with paved runways 17
  
  
  
• Slovenia
  Motorways 456 Km
  Total Railway 1,201 Km
  Total airports with paved runways 17
  
  
  

For more information on this and other Transport Intelligence reports, visit: http://www.transportintelligence.com/Forklift