Data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) show that 206 transport companies were declared bankrupt between January and November 2025, compared with 278 in the same period of 2024. This suggests that fewer Dutch hauliers exited the market in 2025 despite continued cost pressures and uneven freight demand.
A national exception in a difficult European market
The improvement in the Netherlands stands out against a more challenging picture elsewhere in Europe. Throughout 2025, Trans.INFO has reported persistent financial pressure and rising insolvency risks in several major road transport markets.
In Germany, freight industry organisations warned this year that insolvencies among transport companies were increasing, describing the trend as an alarm signal linked to weak demand and rising operating costs, including tolls and labour expenses.
At the EU level, Eurostat data cited by Trans.INFO showed that bankruptcy declarations across all sectors reached their highest level since 2018 in the second quarter of 2025, with the transport and storage sector among those recording an increase.
In the United Kingdom, reporting in 2025 highlighted that haulage operators were operating on extremely thin margins, with further companies sliding into administration as cost pressures and subdued freight volumes continued to weigh on the sector.
Local pressure persists despite better headline figures
Against this international backdrop, recent insolvencies in the Netherlands underline that financial stress has not disappeared entirely from the Dutch market.
Court records published by FaillissementsDossier.nl show that several transport and logistics companies entered bankruptcy or suspension of payments in early December. Among the most notable cases was the collapse of multiple companies operating under the TOP Group umbrella in Ridderkerk, close to the Port of Rotterdam.
Other recent cases included the bankruptcy of Crok Transport B.V. in Westzaan and Abi Transport B.V. in Wijchen, as well as the suspension of payments granted to Freightned Zwaar Transport B.V., with a creditors’ meeting scheduled for March 2026.
Fewer failures, but no return to normality
Taken together, the figures suggest that 2025 was a less severe year for Dutch transport companies than 2024, even as insolvencies continued to occur in specific segments and regions.
High operating costs, limited pricing power and volatile demand remain structural challenges for European hauliers. As a result, individual failures continue to emerge, even in countries where headline bankruptcy figures show year-on-year improvement.
Further insight into the causes of recent insolvencies is expected as court-appointed curators publish their findings in the coming months.
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