Corona crisis disruptions and consequences for demand for freight transport: A screening of the effects for the largest logistics service providers in Norway

Abstract The present article investigates corona crisis disruptions and consequences for freight transport demand, using shipment data from major logistic service providers in Norway, as well as interviews. We investigate how Covid-19 affected demand for freight transport and transport volumes in different segments, changes for parcel delivery, home-deliveries, which industries were most affected and discussed main issues for LSPs in maintaining robust transport chains. We find temporary reductions in B2B deliveries after the first Norwegian societal lockdown but large volume increases in B2C deliveries, which remained at higher levels and saw further waves of increases. Especially home deliveries and mailbox deliveries of parcels increased, particularly in relation with new infection waves. At an aggregate level, retail trade experienced by far the largest volume increases, followed by transport and storage. The latter can in part be due to increasing low-volume import (parcels) from abroad being attributed to e.g. warehouses or customs. At the other end of the scale, wholesale trade stands out with the largest tonnage decrease, followed by manufacturing.