The report on the survey on Italy's international merchandise transport for 2024 is now available. The survey, conducted by the Bank of Italy since 1998, contributes to the compilation of the "services" item of the balance of payments and collects data on freight rates broken down by mode of transport and type of load; moreover, carriers' market shares by nationality of residence are estimated.
The results of the survey, based on interviews with 214 transport operators, report an average increase in freight costs, particularly in the container shipping sector as a result of route detour caused by Huthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea. The increase in sea freight rates was the main determinant of the worsening of the Italy's merchandise transport balance in a context of overall stable market shares of domestic carriers.
