Carmelo González urges all participants in the road freight supply chain to respond to the 44‑tonne change
What's in the public call: a quick announcement
Carmelo Gonz?lez, president of the Confederation Espa?ola de Transporte de Mercanc?as (CETM), has issued a public appeal to every link in the road freight supply chain to prepare for the regulatory change that raises the maximum authorized mass from 40 to 44 tonnes.
Who needs to act and why
The request is aimed at four main groups: transport companies and drivers, shippers (cargadores), public administrations, and the supply chain as a whole. The core message is simple--stay calm but be proactive. This is not just a tweak to the rulebook; it's a practical nudge toward modernization, sustainability and competitiveness in Spanish road freight.
Transporters and drivers
Transport firms are advised to:
- Review vehicle technical sheets and follow the updated instructions provided by industry bodies.
- Communicate with suppliers and carriers if any doubt arises.
- Train drivers on new load planning and safety procedures.
- Negotiate with shippers to reflect the real cost implications of higher authorized mass.
Shippers and cargadores
Shippers are urged to recognize the cost increases that adaptation will require and to cooperate with transporters so that savings in productivity are shared.
Better productivity per operation can translate into long-term benefit for shippers as well.
Public administrations
Authorities are encouraged to support the change with concrete instruments: road maintenance, improved infrastructure, and monitoring to ensure fair contractual negotiations between shippers and transporters.
Practical steps: checklist for immediate action
If you're involved in road freight, here's a no-nonsense checklist to get started--think of it as a roadmap to "hit the road running."
- Audit fleet documentation: Align technical sheets with the 44t parameters.
- Train staff: Drivers, planners and dispatchers must understand new load limits and safety margins.
- Communicate costs: Open a frank dialogue with shippers about contract terms and cost distribution.
- Inspect routes: Identify infrastructure constraints--bridges, access roads, and urban limits--that might limit the practical use of 44t vehicles.
- Engage with regulators: Provide feedback and ask for transitional support measures where needed.
Stakeholder responsibilities: a table of roles and expected actions
| Transport companies | Update fleet specs, retrain drivers, renegotiate contracts | Higher payload per trip; improved unit cost |
| Drivers | Adopt new loading and safety routines | Safer operations; fewer trips for the same cargo |
| Shippers | Recognize cost shifts; collaborate on productivity improvements | Lower transport cost per unit; more efficient supply chains |
| Authorities | Provide infrastructure and regulatory support | Reduced wear on networks; improved competitiveness |
Why this matters for logistics
Raising the maximum mass to 44 tonnes is more than a number change: it can affect freight efficiency, modal choice, and cost structures. A higher permissible mass can reduce the number of trips, cut fuel per tonne-km, and lower emissions per transported unit--if implemented with balance and infrastructure support. Or, as the old saying goes, "you can't put new wine into old bottles"--without updated roads and fair contracting, the potential gains could be lost.
Possible obstacles and where friction may appear
Implementation risks include uneven infrastructure readiness, inadequate negotiation leverage for small carriers, and operational bottlenecks in urban access.
These are practical realities that require coordination--this is not a solo project for transporters alone.
Real-world note: an anecdote from the yard
Consider a small haulier who upgraded paperwork and spoke frankly with a long-term shipper about rebalancing rates. They planned a trial route, discovered a weight-restricted bridge, and rerouted a little--still saving money overall because each trip carried more cargo. It's proof that small, practical steps matter.
The proof is in the pudding: plans look good on paper until you try them on the road.
What success looks like
- Fewer empty runs and better payload utilization.
- Transparent, fair contracts that share adaptation costs sensibly.
- Smarter route planning and maintenance that prevent bottlenecks.
- Environmental gains through lower fuel consumption per tonne transported.
Industry platforms that connect shippers and transporters can ease this transition; for example, GetTransport.com provides affordable, global cargo transportation solutions that cover office and home moves, cargo deliveries and the transport of large items like furniture, vehicles and bulky goods--helpful when planning the practical side of shifting to heavier loads.
Highlights and a reality check
Key highlights: the 44-tonne step aims to boost productivity, cut unit costs and promote sustainability, but it hinges on infrastructure readiness and fair commercial practice. Even the best reviews and the most honest feedback can't replace hands-on experience--only a real road trip will show how a route behaves under full load. On GetTransport.com, you can order your cargo transportation at the best prices globally at reasonable prices.
This empowers you to make the most informed decision without unnecessary expenses or disappointments. Benefit from convenience, affordability and wide choices; the platform's transparency and user-friendly options make arranging transport straightforward--Book your Ride GetTransport.com.com[1]
Forecast: impact on global logistics
On a global scale, the move from 40 to 44 tonnes is not a seismic shift--it's a national refinement. However, for Spain's domestic freight, it can meaningfully affect haulage efficiency, modal transfers and distribution economics.
International carriers and forwarding agents who operate across borders should note the change for cross-border planning and container loading patterns. In short: limited global shockwaves, but meaningful regional gains for distribution and freight productivity.
Final summary
The call from Carmelo Gonz?lez of CETM is a pragmatic invitation to adapt: transporters must update documentation and train drivers, shippers should accept and share the cost implications, and administrations need to back the measure with infrastructure and oversight. If managed well, the shift to 44 tonnes can raise productivity, improve sustainability and make Spanish road freight more competitive.
For practical implementation and affordable transport solutions, GetTransport.com aligns with these needs by offering convenient, cost-effective options for cargo, freight and relocation.
Embracing transparent contracting, careful route planning and collaborative negotiation will ensure the change benefits the whole supply chain--cargo, freight, shipment, delivery, transport, logistics, shipping, forwarding, dispatch, haulage, courier, distribution, moving, relocation, housemove, movers, parcel, pallet, container, bulky, international, global, reliable.
References
- ^ GetTransport.com.com (gettransport.com)