Freight: EUR 50 ARA surcharge, truck ban in Slovakia
From 1 September, haulage via Antwerp and Rotterdam is subject to a new cost, while Slovakia’s truck traffic ban restricts transit for one day. At the same time, fuel costs are rising in Ireland, and rail restrictions in Germany and Italy are increasing demand for road transport across Europe.
Prepared by the CargoNice editorial team with AI support, based on the sources listed and CargoNice's own market data. Machine translation of the Polish original. Editorial policy · Read the Polish original
- 50 EUR/kontenerSurcharge via ARA ports
- 2,08 EUR/kmPoland→Germany spot rate
- 2 063,37 EUR/1000LAverage EU diesel price
- 0,31689 EUR/lReduced excise duty in Ireland
Market today in figures (CargoNice data)
The average diesel price in the European Union was 2 063,37 EUR/1000L on 24 August 2026, while in Germany it was 2 286,00 EUR/1000L on the same day. The spot rate on the Poland→Germany route reached 2,08 EUR/km on 24 August 2026; on the Germany→Poland route, it was 1,65 EUR/km. In Poland, the retail diesel price was 6,52 PLN/l on 29 August 2026, while the load-to-truck ratio remained at 5,70 load/truck on 24 August 2026.
The EU diesel price rose by 30,23 EUR/1000L compared with the previous reading, reaching 2 063,37 EUR/1000L. Rising fuel costs and a high load-to-truck ratio mean there is limited room to absorb additional operating costs without adjusting pricing.
Antwerp and Rotterdam: congestion surcharge on inland deliveries
From 1 September 2026, Hapag-Lloyd is introducing a congestion surcharge for inland shipments routed via Antwerp or Rotterdam. The shipping line cites low water levels on the Rhine, lower barge availability and increased demand for substitute road and rail transport.
The surcharge is 50 EUR per container in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. For Germany, France, Austria, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Switzerland, it is set at 50 EUR/TEU. The carrier also notes that, given the current capacity constraints, it cannot guarantee smooth or on-time inland deliveries.
Quotes should separately itemise the ocean freight, inland delivery and new congestion surcharge. Particular attention should also be paid to arrangements concerning truck availability, collection times and responsibility for any container detention costs.
Slovakia closed to trucks, rail services diverted
On Tuesday, 1 September 2026, a nationwide truck traffic ban applies in Slovakia to most heavy goods vehicles. The restriction, linked to Constitution Day, runs from 00:00 to 22:00 and covers Slovak roads, with specified exceptions, including limited night-time movements for certain loads.
The ban affects transit planning between Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Austria and Czechia. Loads that are in Slovakia before the restriction begins require a planned stop in compliance with the regulations.
At the same time, the current operational assessment points to several rail closures. The Troisdorf–Wiesbaden section is expected to remain closed until 11 December 2026, Obertraubling–Passau until 12 December 2026, Düsseldorf–Köln-Mülheim until 4 September 2026, and Tarvisio Boscoverde–Carnia in Italy until 20 September 2026. Diversion options are limited by route parameters and available capacity.
This increases the risk of shifting intermodal volumes onto the roads and of incurring substitute transport costs. Rail transport orders should specify in advance the availability of emergency trucks and which party will bear the cost of substitute transport.
Source: Nakordoni · Source: Freight Academy
Ireland raises the effective excise duty for eligible carriers
From 1 September 2026, the terms of Ireland’s diesel excise duty relief for eligible road haulage and bus operators are changing. The effective excise duty rate rises from 0,25185 EUR/l, applicable until 31 August, to 0,31689 EUR/l for the period from 1 to 30 September.
The relief remains linked to Ireland’s diesel tax refund scheme and applies only to eligible entities. The change ends part of the temporary fuel support introduced during the energy price shock in 2026.
Carriers and contracting parties purchasing fuel in Ireland should recalculate their September fuel surcharges and check subcontractors’ status under the relief scheme. They should not automatically assume the net cost applicable before 1 September.
Source: EUR-Lex · Source: Revenue Ireland
Balkan carriers press for changes to Schengen day limits
Transport organisations from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and North Macedonia protested on 31 August against applying the 90/180-day Schengen stay rule to professional drivers. According to the industry, repeated business entries consume the permitted stay allowance and undermine the ability to provide regular international haulage services.
Talks in Brussels were announced for 1 September. The issue concerns neither vehicle availability nor permits, but the driver’s legal availability to perform subsequent operations on routes connecting the Balkans with the European Union.
When assigning recurring loads to non-EU carriers, it is necessary to confirm crew availability and the remaining Schengen day allowance before accepting the transport order.
In brief
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From 31 August 2026, Maersk changed the invoicing method for UK imports under the Container Yard model: the Equipment Handling Import charge for merchant haulage is applied by default, while a credit under Inland Campaigns Destination is applied when Maersk inland delivery is selected later. Cost spreadsheets and invoice logic require verification, especially when delivery instructions change. Source: Maersk
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The commercial court in Barcelona formally opened voluntary insolvency proceedings against Transcoma Global Logistics, S.A.U. Contractors in Spain should urgently verify the correct contracting entity, outstanding receivables, prepaid services, cargo releases and their exposure to further cooperation. Source: Canary Maritime