Transport prices fell by 3.7 per cent in the first quarter of 2015, compared to the corresponding figure recorded for the final three months of 2014. 

This is according to the findings of a new report from Transporeon and Capgemini Consulting titled the Transport Market Monitor. 

Despite this drop, the index stands at 94.7, which is a 3.3 per cent increase on the first quarter of 2014, Logistics Manager reports. 

The diesel index fell by 8.1 per cent to 86.1 for the period covering January to March and is now 14.8 per cent lower than it was 12 months previously. 

Supply chain director at Capgemini Erik van Dort said there is usually a decline at the start of a year, but in 2015 it was not as sharp as it has been in the past. 

"This is caused by the European economic recovery which has increased demand for trucking capacity. Apart from this, the low diesel price is also good news for both shippers and carriers," he commented.