Transport: Balkan blockades and Norway’s digital border

Market today in figures (CargoNice data)

The ORLEN diesel price is 7,39 PLN/l, according to the reading from 15 September 2026, up by 0,11 PLN/l compared with the previous reading. The average diesel price in the EU is 2 107,39 EUR/1000L as of 7 September 2026, while in Germany it is 2 328,00 EUR/1000L on the same date.

The model spot rate on the Poland→Germany lane reached 2,27 EUR/km on 14 September 2026, a change of 0,28 EUR/km. In the opposite direction, Germany→Poland, the rate was 1,65 EUR/km on 14 September 2026. The load-to-truck ratio remains at 5,70 load/truck, according to data from 7 September 2026.

The increase in the diesel price and the higher rate on the Poland→Germany lane indicate that carriers have limited room to absorb additional costs related to detention, diversions and waiting at borders.

Blockades at Western Balkan borders

Driver associations in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia announced that, starting Monday, 14 September 2026, they would close border crossings towards the European Union. The action is linked to issues concerning the EU Entry/Exit System. Its operational scale and duration remain uncertain.

The risk affects road imports, exports and transit between the EU and Western Balkan countries. DHL Freight points to possible traffic disruptions, while LEMAN postponed planned Road East Europe departures to the affected countries until 18 September 2026. This indicates that some operators are already limiting the acceptance or execution of departures rather than assuming standard transit times.

In practice, urgent loads, deliveries with time slots and consignments for which the EU border is a critical part of the schedule require particular verification. Confirmation from the specific carrier should cover not only vehicle availability, but also the actual possibility of crossing the border and the waiting conditions.

Source: DHL Freight · Source: LEMAN · Source: NSBS

Norway: mandatory digital data at the border

Norwegian Customs is ending the transitional period for mandatory digital reporting and the transmission of information at the border. The requirement applies from 15 September 2026 and covers processes that must be prepared both by the road operator and its freight forwarding partner.

The change is part of the modernisation of Norwegian customs procedures. The administration also announced the gradual phase-out of direct transit; declarations are to be submitted before crossing the border or at the latest when the border is crossed, with the full transition to this model due by 1 March 2027. A six-month extension to the implementation period had previously been granted following talks with business representatives.

For road operations, it is crucial to establish who is responsible for submitting the data before arrival. The completeness of commercial and transport data, the technical transmission of messages between the customer, freight forwarder and carrier, and the procedure in the event of a rejected or amended declaration should all be checked.

Source: Norwegian Customs

airBaltic and AT Transport Solutions: counterparty risk control

Latvian airline airBaltic began voluntary financial restructuring under Chapter 11 on 14 September 2026. The carrier says that flights, bookings and ongoing operations will continue, while debtor-in-possession financing is expected to amount to 350 mln EUR, subject to court approval. Despite the declared continuity of operations, the situation requires monitoring by cargo capacity buyers and organisers of road feeder services to Baltic airports.

In the United Kingdom, AT Transport Solutions Limited, a transport company from Kettering, is in creditors’ voluntary liquidation. The liquidator was appointed on 9 September 2026, and the information was published on 14 September 2026. Open transport orders, settlements and shipment-related documents should be secured without delay.

In both cases, assessing current service availability is not enough. The freight forwarder should separate operational risk from credit risk by checking credit limits, advance payments, AWB documents, proof of delivery, and the availability of alternative subcontractors and feeder operators.

Source: Piloot en Vliegtuig · Source: Hangar.no · Source: K2 Partners

In brief