Collective bargaining agreement (CAO) wages within the Dutch transport and storage sector experienced a 3.7% year-on-year increase in the third quarter of 2026. This represents a stronger growth rate than the 3.1% recorded during the same period in 2025. However, this wage growth in logistics slightly lags behind the average increase observed across all industries in the Netherlands.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, rising labor costs directly impact operational expenses. This wage increase could lead to higher trucking rates and warehousing costs, potentially affecting overall logistics budgets and pricing strategies for shipments moving through or within the Netherlands. Forwarders may need to adjust their cost models and communicate potential rate changes to shippers.
