Uber Freight expands to Germany

Ride-hailing firm Uber Technologies has expanded its Uber Freight logistics platform to Germany, the company said today. The move capitalizes on Uber Freight's entrance into Europe earlier this year with its launch in the Netherlands.

The Uber Freight app connects trucking companies with loads to haul and offers shippers access to a wide network of carriers. Uber said its move to Germany follows a recent call for action by German industry to address logistical bottlenecks and severe driver shortages in the country's road transport sector. Uber cited statistics from the World Bank estimating that the driver shortage in Germany will triple by 2028, creating a shortfall of 150,000 drivers; the firm also pointed to other inefficiencies in the market that keep shippers from finding available drivers to move their goods.

"Additionally, small- to medium-sized carriers in Germany make up more than 90 percent of the carrier pool, and just like in other international freight markets, they experience the most difficulties connecting with larger shippers," the company said in a statement announcing the move. "A more efficient and transparent freight marketplace is something Uber Freight can bring to the table that will benefit carriers and shippers, as well as reduce wasted miles and fuel."

San Francisco-based Uber says it plans further expansion into Europe, noting that the truckload market alone in the EU is a $400 billion marketplace.