[300413.EN.SEA] European Forwarders Remain Confident After Posting 5pc Upturn

IMPROVEMENTS are expected to continue for Europe's forwarders after a five per cent improved month-to-month performance in March, according to the Danske Bank European Freight Forwarding Index.

The market increased from 47 in February to 52 in March indicating a minor increase in volumes for sea, road and air with expectations for the next two months to see much the same.

Freight forwarding companies are asked for predictions of volumes to be stronger in the next two months for one index, the other asks if volumes are stronger now than two months ago.

Air freight suffered a slight decline in March from February but rallied to 53 over December and January. Sea freight fared better in March at 52 up from 45 in February while road freight hit 50, up from 47.

The UK showed positive increases in the European freight forwarder sector from 50 in February to 68 in March. Germany forwarders' continued to experience weak demand at 33 in March, although up on February's 25. It was still above other countries outside of the Benelux region that contracted significantly from 64 in February to 14 in March.

Source : HKSG.