DEVELOPMENT OF FREIGHT RATES IN POLISH ROAD TRANSPORT - CAN POLISH FORWARDERS COMPETE ON PRICE WITH GERMAN FOWARDERS?

This article presents research on the development of freight rates in Polish road transport in the next few years. This is very relevant for competition with German companies, as Polish road carriers possess almost 90% of the "Poland-Germany" and "Germany-Poland" transport market. Discussed are the reasons for and level of cost advantage, as well as factors influencing costs in road freight transport (e.g. wages, depreciation, maintenance, taxes, elimination of border controls with Germany, EU regulations and standards, technology, cabtage, human capital). It is concluded that it can be expected that, leaving highly volatile fuel prices out of consideration, during the next couple of years Polish road carriers are likely to keep their cost advantage compared to their German competitors.