Cost index for road goods transport, Q3 2005

Lower diesel prices

The fuel index decreased by 0.5 per cent in the last month. From September 2004 to September 2005 this sub-index has increased by 17.4 per cent.

Decrease in ferry costs

The index for ferry costs and road tolls decreased by 0.8 per cent in the last month, mainly due to a rise in ferry costs. In the last twelve months this index has increased by 4.7 per cent.

Lower capital costs

The index for capital costs decreased by 0.6 per cent in the last month, mainly due to a decrease in real interests rates. This index, which is composed by depreciation and amortization, interest costs and annual fee, has increased by 1.6 per cent in the last twelve months.

The real interest rates are based on the consumer price index and are three-month NIBOR rate from Norges Bank, and may therefore deviate somewhat from the average interest offered by Norwegian banks.

Increased tyre prices

The tyre index increased by 1.0 per cent from August to September due to price changes by some suppliers. Over the last twelve months this sub-index has increased by 4.3 per cent.

The other sub-indices show little or no change over the last month.

Tables:

• Table 1 Total cost indices. January 1998=100