The contract logistics market in Western Europe grew by 6.7 percent in 2006 to reach 49 billion euros. This is one of the key fi ndings in “European Transport and Logistics Markets 2007”, the latest report to be published by UKbased research organisation Transport Intelligence.

Some of the highest rates of growth were in the Nordic region. Finland in particular has benefi ted from increasing trade with Russia, and is well on the way towards positioning itself as a gateway to the fast growing markets in the East.

Expansion in the more developed markets, however, was slower. In Germany, low domestic demand resulted in below average growth despite buoyant imports and exports. In Spain the drivers of contract logistics market growth were reversed with strong domestic consumption making up for relatively low levels of international trade.

In France the contract logistics sector actually outperformed the overall logistics market as a result of a higher take up of out-sourcing and a demand for higher value add services.

The Netherlands benefi ted from global trade due to its popular location for European Distribution Centres, although domestic demand was weak.