Netherlands government rejects additional transport sector support

The Dutch cabinet has announced it will not implement additional measures to support the transport sector, despite a significant rise in bankruptcies. Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Vincent Karremans stated that no further reductions in excise duties or VAT are planned.

Data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) shows that 75 road freight companies went bankrupt in the first half of 2026, a 44 percent increase compared to the same period the previous year. In September, the transport and storage sector recorded the highest bankruptcy rate of all sectors at 37.8 per 100,000 companies.

To mitigate existing pressures, the government has implemented several measures: the truck levy rate was temporarily reduced by 22.3 percent from September to December, and motor vehicle tax for trucks weighing 12 tons or more has been set to zero through 2026. Additionally, the government intends to extend the temporary diesel excise discount for two years, keeping the rate at approximately €0.55 per liter in 2027.

While industry organizations like TLN have requested diesel excise refunds to offset costs—noting that expensive diesel can cost a carrier roughly €300 extra per truck per week—the minister maintains that existing relief and fuel clauses in contracts allow businesses to pass costs to clients.