Canadian Carriers, Trucking Revenue Grew Last Year

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here were an estimated 3,406 for-hire trucking companies based in Canada with annual revenues of C$1 million or more in the fourth quarter of 2005, up from 3,225 carriers in the previous fourth quarter, according to data released this week by Statistics Canada.

Operating revenues totaled C$7.3 billion, up 14.6% from the fourth quarter of 2004, while operating expenses reached C$6.7 billion, up 15.2% from the same period in 2004.

Both average operating revenues and expenses rose by about 9% in the fourth quarter, compared with the fourth quarter of 2004; revenues were C$2.1 million in the last quarter of 2005, and expenses were C$2 million.

The growth of operating revenues and expenses by carriers was therefore mitigated by a significant 5.6% increase in the estimated number of carriers, StatCan said.

Even though for-hire carriers’ total fuel expenses rose 20.3% over the fourth quarter of 2004, the operating ratio —expenses divided by revenues —remained unchanged at 0.92.

For-hire trucking transportation revenues from domestic movements increased by 16.3% to C$4.7 billion in the fourth quarter, from C$4.0 billion a year earlier.

An 18.3% increase in revenues from outbound movements contributed significantly to the 11.1% increase in revenues from international movements, StatCan said.