The capacity gap in freight forwarding: what’s behind it and how you can respond

You may have noticed this shift in freight forwarding: it’s taking longer for your team to secure a carrier. It used to take 5 calls a year ago and now it might take 15 in some cases.

And even though the number of available loads across the Balkans – and in Europe in general – is going down, finding carriers hasn’t gotten any easier.

Sound familiar? Let’s take a look at what’s causing this—and explore some practical ways to handle it.

What’s happening in the Balkans transport market?

Industry data points to a drop in volume. Yet, even with fewer loads on the market, it’s taking longer to find available, reliable carriers. 

You’d expect that when demand drops, securing capacity would get easier. But the opposite is happening in many parts of Europe, Balkans included. Why? Here are some possible reasons.

1. Carrier network fragmentation is accelerating

Many small and mid-sized carriers, especially owner-operators or small family businesses, have exited the market or scaled back due to high operating costs, fuel price volatility, and general economic instability. Others are switching to more stable, long-term contracts with select clients, reducing their availability on the spot market.

This leaves forwarders with fewer flexible options and a growing gap between available carriers and real-time access to them.

2. Operational capacity is limited by labour shortages

The logistics sector has been dealing with labor shortages for years, impacting both operational staff and drivers.

• Dispatchers and logistics coordinators: The OECD’s Western Balkans Competitiveness Outlook 2024 highlights that businesses in the region are increasingly concerned about labor shortages, particularly in skilled positions.
• Drivers: The International Road Transport Union (IRU) reports a persistent shortage of truck drivers across Europe, with approximately 426,000 unfilled positions as of 2024. The driver shortage is worsened by an aging workforce—nearly half of drivers in some markets are over 55—while too few young people are entering the profession, with only 6.5% under 25 across 36 countries.

3. Market uncertainty is making capacity less predictable

Carriers are more cautious. With high inflation, shifting fuel prices, and uncertain demand outlooks, many are avoiding ad-hoc or lower-margin jobs, especially if they involve long empty runs or operational risks. This leads to more selective bidding and longer wait times for available capacity, even on relatively simple lanes.

These trends are reshaping how goods move across the Balkans and Europe in general.

FreightON by Trans.eu: built for how forwarders work today

A long list of carrier phone numbers and emails simply isn’t enough anymore. Finding capacity is no longer just about who you know—it’s about how fast, how reliably, and how flexibly you can work across your network.

As a Carrier Connectivity Platform, FreightON helps freight forwarders automate their operations, from pre-assignment to execution, reducing manual work and improving control, speed, and efficiency.

And it’s not just about technology. It’s about truly leveraging your network’s power. And ours. If your own carriers cannot meet your needs inside your closed, private module, the Trans.eu public exchange provides you with access to 25,000 verified carriers. We’ve spent 20+ years building this network, and now we’re helping forwarders use it to scale in smarter ways.

Key capabilities that forwarders can rely on

• Instant access to trusted capacity

Use the strength of the Trans.eu network to tap into thousands of vetted, rated carriers across Europe and find the best fit for you, fast.

• Smart assignment automation

Set custom rules for fixed routes or spot assignments. Assign loads in seconds or minutes, not hours.

• Built-in carrier compliance*

Automatically verify licensing, insurance, registration, and more, directly integrated with official databases.

*Currently supports carriers from Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Romania, Lithuania, and Ukraine. More countries are being added continuously.

• Up to 50% reduction in manual work

Forwarders using FreightON report major time savings across dispatch, compliance checks, and assignment tasks.

Adapting fast to a shifting forwarding market

Freight forwarding is changing. We’re seeing:

• A shift from FTL (Full Truckload) to LTL (Less-than-Truckload) as freight volumes drop

• Rising shipment complexity and longer lead times

• An increased need for capacity in parallel with fewer active carriers, and more pressure to deliver faster

• Higher operating costs with tighter margins.

FreightON can support your operational team by giving them real-time visibility, automated workflows, and flexible access to capacity—so they can stay competitive despite the operational challenges.

See us in action

Whether you’re managing tenders, contract routes, or last-minute spot loads, FreightON and Trans.eu connect you quickly to the right carriers for your needs.