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The capacity index, based on transaction data, provides insight into market sentiment regarding available freight capacities in road freight transport. A comparison between Europe and the USA reveals differences in structural capacities, according to an analysis by Transporeon.
Market developments in the first half of 2022
In the first half of 2022, both Europe and the USA were affected by capacity bottlenecks. These bottlenecks resulted from an increase in demand due to the COVID-related shutdowns as well as disruptions in supply chains. Consequently, both regions experienced a recovery as the initially volatile market conditions gave way to a phase of consolidation. Notably, according to Transporeon, the US market went through this cycle about four months earlier than the European market. By 2023, capacity in both regions reached its highest level in years before the markets developed differently in the first quarter of 2024.
Diverging capacity developments
In the USA, available capacity remained at a high level until the fourth quarter of 2025, creating a favorable environment for shippers and brokers, according to the company. In contrast, Europe experienced a continuous decline in capacities. This trend continued after a brief stabilization in 2025 into the current year, as reported by Transporeon.
Christian Dolderer explains that these differing developments are primarily due to the markets‘ reactions on the supply side. „European transport companies reacted relatively quickly to declining margins and sharply rising operating costs by downsizing their fleets. The increasing number of bankruptcies in the industry accelerated this process. In conjunction with the declining transport demand in 2024 and the first half of 2025, this explains the ongoing capacity decline in Europe. As a result, the market climate for shippers and brokers is significantly less favorable than in the USA,“ says Dolderer. However, his company has recently also observed a decline in capacities in the USA.
