Industry feedback already points in this direction. Companies expect higher costs, longer delivery times, and tighter margins, according to a recent survey that we recently conducted with the help of the Romanian logistics association ARILOG.
For carriers, this creates an expensive challenge. Empty runs, slow load sourcing, and risky customers can no longer be treated as normal operating costs, as they create enormous pressures, especially for smaller companies.
The carriers who succeed in 2026 will be those who plan wisely and protect their cash flow.
Why empty runs are a growing problem for van carriers
Empty kilometres have always affected profit, but now they are becoming ridiculously expensive.
When a van returns empty after delivery, the carrier still pays for fuel, wages, leasing, insurance, and time. Rising transport costs mean those losses add up quickly. In express transport, where jobs are often urgent and margins are narrow, even one poorly planned route can damage the profitability of an entire week.
Many empty runs happen for a simple reason: carriers begin searching for the next load too late, rely on limited contacts, or operate without enough visibility into nearby freight demand.
That is why it’s now crucial to be able to rely on capacity across international routes without sacrificing safety in the process. We have compiled this list of 5 steps you can take now to save your time and money when planning your van transport.
1. Look at total route profit, not just the first rate
Many carriers focus only on the outbound job and start searching for a reload after unloading. By that time, the strongest offers may already be booked.
A load with a strong rate can still be a poor decision if it leaves your van in a weak market with no return freight.
That is why professional carriers evaluate the full journey. They consider fuel costs, tolls, likely reload options, waiting time, and repositioning distance before accepting a shipment.
Think in round trips, not one-way transport. Before accepting a load, check what freight demand exists near the destination and whether return loads are regularly available.
The best van carriers no longer ask if the load is profitable, but rather if the whole route is profitable.
2. Build reliable transport lanes instead of chasing random loads
Spot transport is key for filling gaps, but depending only on one-off freight often creates unstable earnings and unnecessary empty mileage.
Experienced carriers usually perform better when they focus on lanes they know well. Familiar routes make it easier to estimate rates, reload opportunities, waiting times, and customer expectations.
When you understand where freight moves consistently, finding van loads becomes faster and less stressful.
Check out our interactive Freight Radar and select VAN transport to see top routes for your country of origin.
3. Use a freight exchange with European reach to find van loads faster
Speed matters in express transport. Loads appear quickly and the best opportunities can disappear within minutes.
Many carriers still waste time switching between calls, emails, chat apps, and multiple sourcing channels. This slows decision-making, increases admin work, and can expose them to unnecessary risk.
Using one connected freight exchange helps carriers work faster and more securely from one place.
Trans.eu provides you with access to freight opportunities and partners across Europe, helping carriers react faster, reduce downtime, and find return loads more efficiently.
Formal transactions completed inside Trans.eu provide additional security and clearer cooperation.
For many operators, faster access to loads means fewer empty runs and better margins.
4. Work with verified partners and reduce risk
Many carriers have learned the hard way that not every load is worth taking.
Working outside structured systems can expose operators to delayed payments, poor communication, disputes, or unreliable customers. When margins are already under pressure, these risks become expensive.
Trans.eu is designed to support safer cooperation by giving companies access to verified business partners and structured processes.
For carriers entering new markets or working with new customers, trust can be just as valuable as price.
5. Protect your cash flow With SafePay
Cash flow is one of the biggest concerns for small fleets and owner-drivers. Fuel, road charges, wages, and vehicle finance must be paid immediately, while invoice payments may take weeks.
That is why payment security matters.
On Trans.eu, carriers can identify offers marked with the SafePay badge. This means payment protection applies according to the service terms, giving greater confidence when accepting jobs.
For many transport businesses, predictable payment is not a bonus. It is essential for growth.
Safeguarding growth in 2026
The van transport market is becoming more professional, more regulated, and more competitive.
For carriers who want to grow in this new market, load sourcing and safer cooperation are becoming standard business practices.
Find van loads faster, reduce empty kilometres, and work with greater payment security.
See how Trans.eu works for van carriers
