AIR CARG O WEEK


MARKET FORECAST


CAN DRIVERS’ SHORTAGE CRISIS ACROSS EUROPE DERAIL RFS?


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“Investing in drivers is not a question of short- term market conditions – it must be a long- term strategy.”


urope’s Road Feeder Services, like the wider trucking industry, is facing an unprecedented challenge: a shortage of professional drivers that is already disrupting supply chains across the continent. As of 2024, over 426,000 truck driver positions remain unfilled in the EU, and


the number is expected to almost double by 2028. Behind these figures lies a complex mix of factors - from tightening visa rules and an ageing workforce to the declining appeal of the profession among younger generations. Unless industry and policymakers act together, Europe’s RFS risks slowing down not from lack of cargo but from lack of people to move it.


Regulation has become the real bottleneck Mindaugas Paulauskas, CEO of Girteka Transport, says the real bottleneck today is legal rather than motivational. Visa rules and work permit


requirements have become significantly stricter


compared to just a few years ago: “For a company operating across Europe at our scale, these constraints affect how quickly we can onboard qualified drivers, even when the talent is there.” In Europe, the profession is becoming less attractive to younger


generations, as many experienced and talented drivers are retiring, leaving for better-paid or less stressful jobs in the sector or due to health reasons. For the younger population, the appeal of the possibility to travel and flexibility is not attractive or enough to consider a job as a truck driver. Paulauskas emphasises unless there is meaningful policy action


across the European Union, the situation will most likely worsen. Current political trends are moving toward tighter labour mobility and migration controls, which limit access to professional drivers from outside the EU. Without


regulatory changes reflecting the realities of the


transport sector and a long-term approach to making this career path more appealing, the shortage will not ease on its own. Investing in drivers is not a question of short-term market


conditions – it must be a long-term strategy. According to Paulauskas, the only way to retain drivers, maintain stability, and service quality is to focus on people at the core of all operations: their well-being, safety, working conditions, satisfaction, and professional growth. “Many of our drivers join from different countries, where training


standards or truck operating requirements may vary, so it is our responsibility to provide them with the skills needed to operate at a consistently high European level. We are always investing in our drivers and will continue to do so. For example, in 2026 we plan to invest around €300,000 into our training centres in Poznan and Šiauliai to strengthen competencies in areas such as load handling, temperature control, and safety systems,” tells Paulauskas. “Rest, health, and safe working conditions are not “extras.” They directly influence performance, safety, and even how clients and other drivers perceive us. In the long run, ignoring wellbeing or the physical constraints the industry is facing right now only creates bigger problems for everyone: the drivers, the companies, and the transport sector as a whole.”


Technology that supports the driver One of the key directions of Girteka’s strategy and building its competitive advantage is investment in the fleet. Drivers operate modern trucks - with an average age of just two years. The key criteria for vehicle selection are both operational efficiency and the company’s commitment to ensuring driver comfort and safety. “For professional drivers, the truck isn’t just a vehicle – it’s


their workplace. We take that seriously, which is why we focus on making sure it is safe, comfortable, and equipped with the latest technologies on the market,” emphasises Paulauskas. He states that driver wellbeing is not a cost - it’s an investment,


in fact one of the best you could make: “Drivers spend long hours on the road, and if we expect them to deliver at the highest standards, we need to give them the conditions to do so, at least as much as we can.” Modern trucks improve physical comfort, safety, and day-to-


day working conditions for drivers. Features like automation and integrated digital tools reduce fatigue and make tasks easier. From an operational perspective, a modern fleet also improves efficiency, reliability, and fuel performance – it benefits both for the driver and for the business.


More than money In retaining drivers, social factors matter a great deal. It’s crucial not only to polish a position of great employer, but also to motivate drivers to stay in the company long term. “Drivers are our colleagues, and just like all of us want to feel appreciated at work, have proper rest, and live a life outside of the job,” says Paulauskas. Girteka puts a strong focus on respectful communication, work-life balance, and creating a supportive environment, especially since with more than 10,000 drivers, the company is truly multicultural. Pay is still important, Paulauskas says, but without respect and


the right conditions, no salary will keep people in the long run. “For us, drivers’ well-being is a priority because it reflects on everything from road safety to their performance to service quality.” Yet, he says Girteka doesn’t face a shortage of interest - drivers


actively apply to join Girteka, and many come through referrals from existing employees. “We see the tendency among drivers who previously were employed at Girteka willing to join our team back as they notice significant improvements in our working conditions compared to just a few years back.” Paulauskas addresses the shared responsibility of


the drivers’


shortage crisis. “Without regulatory changes reflecting the realities of the transport sector and a long-term approach to making this career path more appealing, the shortage will not ease on its own,” he says.


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