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The largest share of freight transport performance is accounted for by road transport (about 80 %), followed by rail transport (18 %) and inland waterway transport accounts for only 2 %. Road transport dominates, followed by rail and water transport as a consequence of changes in the structure of transported goods.
Transportation in freight transport
Last update of indicator 09.12.2021
Indicator definition
The indicator describes the quantity of goods transported and the performance of individual means of freight transport.
Related policy documents and targets
Strategic Transport Development Plan of the Slovak Republic up to 2030 (2016)
Vision for transport sector development up to 2030
A sustainable integrated multimodal transport system that meets society's economic, social and environmental needs and contributes to the full integration of the Slovak Republic into the European Economic Area.
Strategic global objective 3 (SGO 3)
Increase in the competitiveness of transport means in passenger and freight transport (opposites of road transport) by setting the corresponding operational, organisational and infrastructural parameters which will lead to an efficient integrated multimodal transport system supporting the economic and social needs of the Slovak Republic. Increase in the quality of transport planning in the Slovak Republic by definition of the optimal target value of the modal split in the Slovak Republic and specification of steps and tools to achieve it.
Vision for transport sector development up to 2030
A sustainable integrated multimodal transport system that meets society's economic, social and environmental needs and contributes to the full integration of the Slovak Republic into the European Economic Area.
Strategic global objective 3 (SGO 3)
Increase in the competitiveness of transport means in passenger and freight transport (opposites of road transport) by setting the corresponding operational, organisational and infrastructural parameters which will lead to an efficient integrated multimodal transport system supporting the economic and social needs of the Slovak Republic. Increase in the quality of transport planning in the Slovak Republic by definition of the optimal target value of the modal split in the Slovak Republic and specification of steps and tools to achieve it.
6. Preventing and mitigating climate change Emission zones in cities will be established and transport solutions without negative climatic effects will be promoted.
6.2 Implementing sustainable transport solutions
Fuel prices should reflect their environmental impacts. For fossil fuels, therefore, the tax burden on petrol and diesel will be gradually balanced, with regard to competitiveness and the provision of support for alternative fuels, together with the construction of infrastructure. Long-term sustainable solutions will be preferred. Part of the promotion of sustainable transport solutions is the effort to change the overall division of transport work. In freight transport, the transfer of transport work from road transport to rail resp. water transport and in passenger transport on the transfer of transport work from individual car transport to public, city, bicycle and pedestrian transport.
Rural Development Programme of SR (2021 - 2024)
Transport that supports sustainable economic growth with regard to ecology. The Government of the Slovak Republic will adhere to the following principles when implementing a transport policy aimed at an intelligent, integrated, green and sustainable transport system:
- decision-making based on data and social added value;
- state transport policy, which supports sustainable economic growth,
- strengthening the position of research and development and supporting innovations in the field of state transport policy,
- involvement of new financial instruments in developing the potential of individual modes of transport,
- introduction of integrated transport aimed at using environmentally friendly modes of transport,
- transport infrastructure will generate space for new services, greater reliability and more flexibility in transport and the economy as a whole
Key question
What are the developments in the transportation of goods and the performance of freight transport?Key messages
- During the 2005 - 2020 period, the amount of goods transported was decreasing. Between 2005 and 2010, there were minimal increases and decreases in the amount of goods transported. After 2008, significant declines occurred due to the economic crisis. The amount of goods transported in 2020 was 4.7% lower than in 2005 and the year-on-year decrease was 9.7%.
- Freight transport performance in the period 2005 - 2020 was fluctuating, with the lowest value recorded in 2005. After 2010, the performance had an upward trend until 2016, after this year we observe a minimal decrease. The year-on-year decrease was 8.72%.
| Change since 2005 | Change since 2015 | Last year-on-year change |
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Transport of goods by freight transport decreased. Transport performance gradually began increase.
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Goods transport by freight transport started to grow. Freight transport performance increased.
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The transportation of goods and freight transport performance recorded a slight year-on-year decrease.
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Summary assessment
Detailed assessment
The 2020 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) had a major impact on all sectors of the national economy and also significantly affected developments in the transport sector, with passenger transport more affected than freight transport. The measures implemented by the government during the first and second waves (the so-called lockdowns) achieved a reduction in the mobility of the population, which was reflected in a decrease in the performance of all modes of passenger transport. The closure of the economy and the decline in production and demand for goods have also caused a reduction in freight traffic.
Unfavourable development of freight transport persists throughout the assessed period. The largest amount of goods is transported by road freight transport and in the period 2005 - 2019 experienced fluctuating trends. Since 2005, freight transport recorded year-on-year declines until 2013. In 2020 there was a 9.9% year-on-year decrease. The downturn observed in the years between 2010 and 2015 was a consequence of the deepening economic crises in all areas. Rail freight transport remains balanced over the whole assessed period and it registered a minor, year-on-year increase by 9.3% in 2020. In the 2005-2010 period inland water transport increased by a 100%, however after this year it began to decline and this trend continues until 2020.
The performance of road freight transport between 2005 and 2020 decreased by 6.8%, with year-on-year decreases and increases. Performance in water freight transport experienced significant fluctuations in 2002 (decline) and 2010 (sharp increase). After 2010, there was a decline in performance which persisted until 2020. The performance of water freight transport in 2020 was at the same level as in 2005. Conversely, rail freight transport performance did not experience significant fluctuations in the reference period 2005-2020, despite a year-on-year decline in 2010. In the 2010 - 2020 period it represented of 8 500 mill.tkm. Air transport performance recorded a slight increase until 2019, in 2020 no goods were transported.
The performance of road freight transport between 2005 and 2020 decreased by 6.8%, with year-on-year decreases and increases. Performance in water freight transport experienced significant fluctuations in 2002 (decline) and 2010 (sharp increase). After 2010, there was a decline in performance which persisted until 2020. The performance of water freight transport in 2020 was at the same level as in 2005. Conversely, rail freight transport performance did not experience significant fluctuations in the reference period 2005-2020, despite a year-on-year decline in 2010. In the 2010 - 2020 period it represented of 8 500 mill.tkm. Air transport performance recorded a slight increase until 2019, in 2020 no goods were transported.
The largest share of freight transport performance is accounted for by road transport (about 80 %), followed by rail transport (18 %) and inland waterway transport accounts for only 2 %. Road transport dominates, followed by rail and water transport as a consequence of changes in the structure of transported goods.
International comparison
Eurostat: Goods transport by road
Eurostat: Goods transport by rail
Eurostat: Goods transport by rail
Eurostat: Goods transport by inland waterways
Eurostat: Air transport of goods