What is empty running

Empty running is a journey a lorry makes without a load, normally to return to its base or to collect the next consignment. The percentage of empty running measures how well transport capacity is being used.

An empty kilometre costs almost as much as a loaded one in fuel, driver and wear, but it is not invoiced. That is why companies look for return loads, and why unbalanced flows, where far more goods leave than arrive, make transport more expensive.

Container haulage by road is among the activities that accumulate the most empty kilometres, because the container has to be collected from and returned to a depot. The figure is published by the Ministry of Transport from its permanent survey of the sector.