Transport: 3.97% tariff increase in Antwerp from January

The market today in figures (CargoNice data)

The Orlen diesel price was 7.16 PLN/l on 3 November 2026; the change from the previous reading was -0.07 PLN/l. Poland’s diesel price according to the EU bulletin was 1 781.19 EUR/1000L on 26 October 2026, while the EU average reached 2 146.19 EUR/1000L on the same day. The model freight rate on the Poland–Germany lane was 2.08 EUR/km on 2 November 2026, while the Germany–Poland route stood at 1.92 EUR/km.

The data point to lower fuel costs in Poland alongside differing rates in the two directions of the German corridor, so outbound and return trips should be assessed separately when preparing quotations.

EU fee to change the cost of e-commerce customs clearance

From 1 November 2026 to 31 December 2027, EU rules on a handling fee for the release for free circulation of goods sold at a distance will apply. The regulation primarily affects the economics of import customs clearance for low-value e-commerce consignments.

The solution is transitional and operates alongside broader work on the target rules for the EU Customs Code. For an operator, the key issue is not simply assigning the cost to imports in general, but incorporating it into the handling of individual parcels and customer billing.

In practice, it is worth distinguishing the transport cost from the cost of releasing goods for free circulation. Quotations for online sellers, invoices and customs processes should show the new item in a way that prevents the freight forwarder from covering it unintentionally. Source: EUR-Lex

Antwerp-Bruges to raise port tariffs

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges will raise most tariffs by 3.97% from 1 January 2027. The indexation is linked to the consumer inflation reading from August 2026 and will cover both port areas: Antwerp and Brugge-Zeebrugge.

The change applies, among other things, to vessel dues, terminal-related services, concessions and port infrastructure. Towing costs will change differently: they will rise by 3.57% in the docks of Antwerp and by 2.65% in Zeebrugge. This is therefore not a uniform adjustment of all cost components associated with a port call and port handling.

For container loads passing through Belgium, the announced increase should be reflected in customer budgets, discussions with ocean carriers and the pricing of inland pre- and on-carriage. Especially for fixed contracts for 2027, the port-gate cost should not remain an item settled under current terms. Source: Port Technology

Riga redirects trucks to Kundziņsala

On 1 November 2026, Riga opened the 863.5 m Kundziņsala overpass, connecting the port-industrial area with the city’s main-road network. A new six-lane Delta 17 checkpoint on Uriekstes Street also came into operation, equipped with automatic number-plate recognition and digital freight data exchange.

Until the end of 2026, trucks may use both Delta 17 and the existing Delta 1 checkpoint. From 1 January 2027, heavy traffic to and from the Kundziņsala terminals will be routed exclusively via the new overpass and Delta 17.

This is an operational change, not merely new infrastructure. Pickup and delivery orders should be updated now, and subcontracted carriers should be given the target route and handling point. Source: City of Riga

New Haparanda–Gothenburg rail connection

On 5 November 2026, Maersk will launch a freight rail service between Haparanda and APM Terminals Gothenburg. The service will start with two round trips per week; the plan calls for frequency to later increase first to four and then to six round trips per week.

The service will enable load consolidation in Haparanda and onward routing via Gothenburg to ocean services. The final leg can be operated by road or rail, providing an additional option for Finland and northern Sweden.

When preparing quotations, however, this service should be treated as a specific routing alternative with its own schedule and consolidation point, rather than an automatic substitute for every road or sea shipment. Source: Maersk

In brief

• From 2 November 2026, Hapag-Lloyd changed its inland transport fuel surcharge in Italy: it is 15% for trucks, 10% for rail–truck combinations and 7% for rail alone. Import and export calculations should apply the surcharge according to the selected mode of transport. Source: Container News
• UK-based Meachers Global Logistics reported revenue of 39.6 million GBP for the year ended 31 May 2026, down 6.5% year on year, and profit before tax of 2.4 million GBP. The company remains active but pointed to pressure from facility costs and driver pay; this is a reason to routinely review a counterparty’s credit and payment terms. Source: Motor Transport