After months of tension and a loss of revenue, the road freight transport sector on the island is on lockdown. The mobilization, announced by Unatras (the national union of the main trade associations, including Confartigianato Trasporti), and for which the date and implementation modalities will be determined in the coming days, marks a point of no return for a sector that handles 80% of the goods circulating in Sardinia.
The protests were sparked by soaring energy costs. With diesel now costing over €2.13 per liter, operating a heavy-duty vehicle is no longer sustainable.
ELIMINATED PROFITS – According to data compiled by the Research Office of Confartigianato Sardegna, a heavy-duty truck travels an average of 120,000 kilometers per year, consuming approximately 36,000 liters of diesel . Every increase of 0.25 euros per liter results in an increase of approximately 9,000 euros per truck , which increases to 90,000 euros for a fleet of ten vehicles. This impact is difficult to sustain for a sector whose average margin remains below 3% of turnover, so much so that in many cases the fuel price increase alone is enough to wipe out profits.
"It's better to stay put than to travel," explains Giacomo Meloni, president of Confartigianato Sardegna, "especially considering that the linear cut in excise duties hasn't produced any visible benefits." This problem affects over 1,500 artisanal freight transport businesses on the island, with over 4,000 employees.
LIQUIDITY ISSUES – In addition to pump prices, liquidity issues are stifling businesses. Truckers are forced to pay large sums upfront for fuel, while invoice payments often arrive months later. This financial imbalance is pushing many businesses to the brink of bankruptcy.
Meloni also wants to send a clear message to consumers: road haulage isn't to blame for the price hikes on supermarket shelves. "The increase in transportation costs has only a minimal impact on the final price," the President of Confartigianato clarifies.
THE REQUESTS – To avert a prolonged shutdown that would empty the island's warehouses, Unatras is therefore calling for urgent and structural interventions. Among the key points: the immediate issuance of a tax credit decree; compensatory compensation of €200 for every 1,000 liters of diesel; the temporary suspension of tax and social security payments to provide relief for company coffers; and an immediate recovery of at least 20 cents per liter.
The exact dates of the ban and the implementation procedures will be announced in the coming days. Without concrete responses from the Ministry, Sardinia's parking lots will remain full and the streets deserted.
(Unioneonline/vl)
