Lithuanian road freight transport (RFT) is mainly focused on international trade, accounting for 93% of its total activity. In the latest European CNR ranking, Lithuania ranks second behind Poland in terms of international activity between third countries. However, the Covid crisis in 2020-2021 and the consequences of the Mobility Package seem to have had a negative impact on the activity of Lithuanian transport operators. The annual mileage of a Lithuanian heavy goods vehicle is therefore lower than in the last study, at 132,300 km/year in 2021 compared to 150,000 km/year in 2017. Drivers under Lithuanian contracts assigned to international routes seem to return home more often, on average every two to three weeks. In 2017, tours were estimated to last 24 days on average. Ultimately, the mileage of a driver assigned to international routes is estimated at 115,000 km/year in 2021, compared to 136,000 km/year in 2017. The cost of drivers has increased over the period, from €23,014 per year in 2017 to €23,847 per year in 2021, representing a 3.6% increase over four years. This is due to increases in the minimum wage and travel allowances. However, this increase is offset by a sharp drop in employer contributions, from £32.60 to £3.03 since the last study in 2017. The cost is therefore partly borne by employee contributions, which rise from £9 to £19.5.

In addition to these changes, it appears that certain cost items have increased over the past four years. This is the case for tolls (+23.8 %), ownership costs (+12.6 %) and maintenance and repairs (+11.9 %). Conversely, the cost of tyres has fallen sharply since 2017, down 45% over three years, which can be explained in particular by the special attention paid to this item by Lithuanian hauliers.

Overall, in 2021, the total cost of a Lithuanian heavy goods vehicle operating internationally is €0.84/km. 

The CNR invites you to discover this new study dedicated to Lithuanian TRM, covering operating conditions for 2021.