The European road freight market is undergoing a profound transformation. According to Italy's National Hauliers Register, in Q1 2025 there were 98,277 active road haulage companies in Italy alone, but the number of single-vehicle owner-operators continues to decline: from 73,395 in 2010 to just over 21,800 today. In fifteen years, nearly half of all owner-operators have left the industry.
Yet those who adapt to the new landscape find concrete opportunities. The key? Digitising how loads are found, eliminating dependency on a handful of regular customers, and reducing the empty miles that erode margins. In this guide, we analyse how digital load boards can transform the daily reality of an owner-operator.
Who is an owner-operator and why this role is under pressure
An owner-operator is a haulier who owns their vehicle and operates independently, bearing the full entrepreneurial risk. Across Europe, this figure has long represented the backbone of road freight, but today faces growing challenges.
The numbers are stark: between 2016 and 2021, sole-trader haulage businesses in Italy declined by 20.8%, while limited companies grew by 22.7%. The market is consolidating around larger, more structured operators, leaving owner-operators struggling against:
- International competition: Eastern European carriers with lower operating costs
- Rising costs: fuel, motorway tolls (+1.5% in 2026), insurance
- Dead time: on average, a driver spends 4 hours 35 minutes daily waiting for loading/unloading during an 11-hour working day
- Customer dependency: losing a main client means losing most of the revenue
The answer to these challenges isn't necessarily to grow larger, but to become more efficient. And efficiency comes from the ability to find loads quickly, negotiate fair rates, and reduce empty running.
What is a load board and how does it work
A load board (also called freight exchange) is a digital platform connecting shippers with available transport capacity. It works like a marketplace: companies post transport requests specifying origin, destination, cargo type and timing; carriers browse the offers and submit quotes.
For an owner-operator, the load board solves a fundamental problem: finding work. Instead of depending solely on word-of-mouth or agreements with freight forwarders, you access a continuous flow of opportunities from companies across Italy and often throughout Europe.
Traditional vs digital load boards
The first load boards were physical notice boards at truck stops or telephone directories. Today's digital platforms offer decisive advantages:
- Real-time access: new loads available 24/7, viewable from your smartphone
- Geographic filters: search by departure zone, destination, cargo type
- Company verification: ratings, reviews, financial stability checks
- Direct negotiation: integrated chat to discuss details and prices without intermediaries
- Digital documentation: transport orders, CMR, invoicing all in one system
Concrete benefits for owner-operators
1. Reducing empty miles
In Italy, industry estimates suggest approximately 25% of trucks run completely empty on return journeys. For an owner-operator covering 100,000 km annually, this means 25,000 km generating no revenue while still incurring fuel and vehicle wear costs.
With a load board, finding a backhaul becomes a matter of minutes. If you've delivered to Milan and need to return to Rome, you can immediately search for shipments on the reverse route, turning an empty journey into an earning opportunity.
2. Diversifying your client portfolio
Depending on one or two customers is risky. If your main shipper reduces volumes or switches to another carrier, the owner-operator suddenly finds themselves without work. A load board allows you to gradually build a diversified network of contacts, reducing vulnerability.
3. Access to transparent market rates
According to data from Italy's Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (June 2025 update), the minimum sustainable cost for road freight is between €1.20 and €1.50 per kilometre. Market rates in 2025 range from €1.12 to €1.50/km for contracts, with spot rates reaching €1.31/km.
On digital platforms, you can compare multiple offers and understand the real value of a route, avoiding acceptance of below-cost rates that don't even cover operating expenses.
4. Time savings in finding work
Before digital load boards, finding work meant phone calls, emails, waiting. Today an owner-operator can browse dozens of offers in minutes, filter by vehicle type and zone, and submit quotes directly through the platform. Time saved can be reinvested in productive activities: driving, not searching.
How to choose the right load board
Not all load boards are equal. Here are the criteria to evaluate:
Geographic coverage
If you operate mainly in one country, choose a platform with strong national presence. If you do international transport, verify coverage in destination countries.
Access cost
Some platforms require expensive monthly subscriptions, others apply commissions on transactions. There are also load boards that are free for carriers, where shipper companies pay for premium access. This second option is particularly advantageous for owner-operators wanting to test the service without commitment.
Company verification
A good platform performs checks on registered companies: VAT verification, chamber of commerce records, any warnings. This reduces the risk of encountering unreliable shippers or late payers.
Ease of use
The interface must be intuitive and mobile-accessible. An owner-operator doesn't have time to learn complex systems: they need to search for loads, submit quotes and communicate with customers quickly and directly.
How much can an owner-operator earn with a load board
Earnings depend on many factors: vehicle type, kilometres covered, operating area, ability to optimise routes. Let's look at a practical example.
Scenario: owner-operator with 3.5-tonne van
Current situation (without load board):
- Annual mileage: 80,000 km
- Empty running: 25% = 20,000 km
- Average rate: €1.20/km
- Revenue: 60,000 km × €1.20 = €72,000/year
With load board (empty running reduced to 10%):
- Empty km: 8,000 km (-12,000 km)
- Paid km: 72,000 km
- Revenue: 72,000 km × €1.20 = €86,400/year
- Increase: +€14,400/year
This calculation doesn't consider other benefits such as access to better-paying loads or reduced waiting times. The real increase can be significantly higher.
Most profitable routes in Europe
Not all routes offer the same opportunities. Some corridors are historically more remunerative due to high demand combined with logistical challenges:
- North-South corridors: Germany-Italy, Netherlands-Spain, UK-Italy. The flow of goods between northern manufacturing hubs and southern markets generates constant demand.
- Industrial triangles: Ruhr area, Northern Italy's manufacturing belt, Benelux ports. High concentration of manufacturing and logistics activities.
- International corridors: Italy-Germany, France-Spain, Poland-Germany. Require additional documentation but offer higher rates.
- Specialised transport: refrigerated, ADR (dangerous goods), pharmaceutical. Require certifications but command premium rates.
Mistakes to avoid
Accepting below-cost rates
Italy's Ministry of Transport has flagged cases of rates at €0.87/km, well below minimum operating costs. Accepting such work means operating at a loss and contributing to the price dumping that harms the entire sector.
Not verifying the shipper
Before accepting a load, always verify the company's financial health. Payment delays or, worse, non-payment can devastate an owner-operator living on thin margins.
Neglecting documentation
CMR, delivery notes, transport orders: everything must be in order. Digital platforms help manage these documents, but final responsibility remains with the carrier.
How to get started: practical guide
- Choose a platform: evaluate available options, favouring those free for carriers that let you test without risk.
- Complete your company profile: enter your business details, certifications, available vehicle types. A complete profile builds trust with shippers.
- Configure notifications: set up alerts to receive notices when loads are posted on your preferred routes.
- Start with backhauls: the simplest way to begin is searching for loads complementary to your regular journeys.
- Build your reputation: punctual deliveries and professional communication generate positive reviews that attract new customers.
The future of owner-operators is digital
The road freight sector is changing rapidly. The IRU (International Road Transport Union) estimates that Europe is short of 600,000 heavy goods vehicle drivers, and in Italy alone over 400,000 drivers failed to renew their Certificate of Professional Competence between 2019 and 2024.
Paradoxically, this driver shortage can represent an opportunity for owner-operators who know how to adapt. Transport demand remains high, and those who position themselves as reliable, digitally-enabled partners find space in an increasingly demanding market.
Digital load boards aren't the solution to all road freight problems, but they are a powerful tool for increasing efficiency, diversifying customers and improving margins. In a sector where costs are rising and competition intensifying, those who don't adapt risk being left behind.
The choice is simple: continue searching for loads using traditional methods, or embrace the digital tools the market offers. The data suggests which path is more promising.
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