What are logistics markets defined by?
Logistics markets are largely defined by national characteristics. A mix of government regulation, social factors and economics are behind the development of logistics provision.
What influences logistics markets’ characteristics?
How did regulation look like in European countries?
o Previously European countries operated a system of permits that acted as quantitative controls on the entry of new operators into the transport market.
o Removed during the 1980s and 90s by liberalization, but controls still exist in terms of quality, if not quantity.
o In many developing countries, restrictions exist on foreign investment in the transport sector.
How did openness influence the trade?
o The openness of a country’s economy is also important to the transport market.
o Belgium/Netherlands: have highly developed international road freight markets due in part to their geographical location on key transit routes, but also due their role as important trading hubs
How does Retail development influence the trade?
Consolidation of a country’s retail sector is very important. UK: large contract logistics players developed by doing business with a handful of giant supermarket chains.
o Italy/ Spain where a fragmented retail sector in which local stores predominate has meant that logistics companies have not developed to the same sort of scale.
How does Import/export balance influence the trade?
In developed markets the balance of logistics provision will be on secondary distribution (from warehouse to retailer or consumer) as relatively few consumer goods are manufactured in the region.
o In China: transport market is still largely focused on moving goods from factory to port – a largely commoditized activity.
How does Urbanization and population distribution influence the trade?
Countries with dense urban communities can be better served by a range of more sophisticated contract logistics and express parcels providers than those with dispersed populations
Characterize logistics market development in Western Europe
Highly competitive. Many global LSPs but there is also no shortage of medium to large national players with good logistics capabilities
Characterize logistics market development in France
Out-sourcing was slow to take off due to the regulated nature of the market and the structure of the retail sector.
The transport market is being squeezed by Eastern European and Spanish hauliers and has been hurt by the migration of manufacturing eastwards.
Characterize logistics market development in UK
Most mature contract logistics market in Europe due to early deregulation.
A large proportion of the market is dedicated to the distribution of imports through ports and the retail sector.
E-retail is now changing the structure of the market significantly in terms of logistics provision.
Characterize logistics market development in Italy
Highly fragmented with a large proportion of owner-drivers.
Cabotage is seen as a growing issue for domestic hauliers, losing market share to eastern European providers.
Characterize logistics market development in Spain
The market is highly competitive and centred around Madrid and Barcelona.
Foreign companies have traditionally struggled against local, commoditised freight providers although this is now changing with the influx of international retailers.
Characterize logistics market development in Central and Eastern Europe
Characterize logistics market development in North America
Characterize logistics market development in Canada
o United States absorbs more than 70 per cent of Canadian exports.
o Significant proportion of trade is cross-border intra-company transfers. Automotive parts, for example, frequently cross the border several times before entering the final assembly stage.
o In the oil and gas extraction sector, storage and transportation of equipment represents a significant portion of investment.
Characterize logistics market development in Asia Pacific
Characterize logistics market development in Japan
Characterize logistics market development in India
Characterize logistics market development in South America
Characterize logistics market development in Brazil
Characterize logistics market development in Middle East
Characterize logistics market development in Africa
What does international shipment involve?
International shipment will most often involve water or air: therefore there will be airports or ports involved
What are the airports & ports in the hub-and-spoke model?
Airports and Ports
* Are regarded as “nodes” or “hubs”, and they are transfer points