Rome, 4 June 2026 – To build a more responsible and efficient transport supply chain, for the benefit of all stakeholders, and to strengthen the link between manufacturing and logistics. These are some of the objectives of Welfare on the Road, the Manifesto promoted by Confindustria.

The initiative was launched with a clear vision: to improve synergy between the manufacturing industry and freight transport, whilst highlighting the role of hauliers – key players in the transport sector – whose contribution is vital to sustaining the competitiveness and smooth functioning of the country’s economic system.

Today, the Italian road network is under pressure. But the key figure concerns human capital. The European Commission has estimated that, across Europe, there will be a shortfall of around 444,000 drivers by 2025, a figure set to rise to 745,000 by 2028 unless targeted measures are taken. In Italy, the shortfall already exceeds 25,000 drivers and is set to increase over the next five years, partly because our country is among those where a significant proportion of drivers will reach retirement age. This highlights a structural problem that requires concrete and immediate action.

“With Welfare on the Road, “Confindustria aims to build a more sustainable and competitive logistics ecosystem,” says Leopoldo Destro, Vice-President of Confindustria for Transport, Logistics and the Tourism Industry -. Investing in quality of life, safety and better relationships throughout the value chain leads to greater efficiency and greater environmental, economic and social sustainability.”

The Manifesto provides for voluntary participation by businesses and introduces practical measures to improve drivers’ working conditions: access to essential services, reduced waiting times, improved safety during loading and unloading operations, digital tools for managing traffic flows, and awareness-raising and training initiatives.

“Transport and logistics are key drivers of competitiveness for the manufacturing industry,” he continues Right -, playing a strategic role in an export-oriented economy such as ours. Global competitive dynamics are making it increasingly clear that we need to enhance the complementarity between logistics, transport and production. Logistics can no longer be viewed simply as a cost to be minimised; rather, it is a strategic driver for remaining competitive on the European and international stage.”

As part of the project Welfare on the Road, Confindustria thus reaffirms its commitment to increasingly innovative, integrated and sustainable supply chains, promoting a new policy for modern logistics, integrated into the national production system, in order to tackle current and future challenges in a structural and systemic manner through coordinated action and a comprehensive, long-term vision.