European Combined Transport Faces 4.92% Decline in 2026

92% volume decline at the start of 2026, signaling a contraction in intermodal freight services across the continent. This decline reflects broader market headwinds including economic uncertainty, reduced manufacturing output, and potential shifts in modal preference toward other transportation solutions. For supply chain professionals, this represents a critical inflection point requiring strategic reassessment of routing decisions, capacity planning, and modal mix optimization as traditional combined transport loses competitive ground. The projected decline carries implications for network efficiency and cost management.

Combined transport—which integrates rail, truck, and terminal operations—has historically offered advantages in congestion mitigation, emissions reduction, and capacity utilization. 92% contraction suggests weakening demand fundamentals, potentially driven by softer economic conditions in key European markets or competitive pressure from alternative transport modes. This creates both risks and opportunities: supply chain teams must evaluate whether capacity constraints will ease, enabling better service levels, or whether the decline signals structural shifts requiring tactical repositioning. Operational teams should prepare contingency scenarios around modal switching, terminal utilization rates, and cost recovery strategies.

The timing—beginning 2026—allows for forward planning but leaves limited window for significant infrastructure or contract adjustments. Organizations with heavy reliance on combined transport corridors should initiate scenario planning immediately to understand exposure and identify mitigation strategies before the anticipated volume decline materializes.