Freight rates and fuel: CMA CGM raises surcharges in Europe

The market today in figures (CargoNice data)

The Orlen diesel price stood at 7,03 PLN/l on 5 November 2026, down 0,05 PLN/l from the previous reading. The average diesel price in the EU reached 2 153,94 EUR/1000L on 2 November 2026, while in Germany it was 2 282,00 EUR/1000L on the same day. The model rate on the Germany–Poland route was 1,92 EUR/km on 2 November 2026, whereas in the Poland–Germany direction it reached 2,16 EUR/km.

A decline in the domestic wholesale-to-retail price does not mean uniform cost relief across Europe: the EU diesel index increased, while cross-border routes are priced differently depending on the loading side and vehicle availability.

CMA CGM changes the fuel surcharge for inland haulage

From 4 November 2026, CMA CGM has applied a revised Inland Emergency Fuel Surcharge to European inland haulage linked to imports and exports. The highest surcharge indicated applies to Poland and amounts to 21%. In Germany, the carrier specifies 16%; in France, Slovenia and Croatia, 11%; in Italy, 8%; and in Belgium and the Netherlands, 3%.

The charging date depends on the direction of the operation. For exports, the departure date determines the charge, while for imports it is the unloading date. The surcharge remains subject to local regulatory requirements and applies until further notice. In practice, this may create a discrepancy between the date a quotation is prepared and the date that triggers the cost for the shipping line.

For a freight forwarder, it is important to separate the road haulage price from the cost handled by the shipping line for pre-carriage or on-carriage. In particular, quotations including container delivery in Poland, Germany, the Benelux or Southern Europe require confirmation that the surcharge has already been included in the purchase rate. Source: CMA CGM

Black Sea: new charge in the Constanta supply chain

From 9 November 2026, CMA CGM plans to introduce a war risk surcharge of 35 USD/TEU for Black Sea cargo covered by bills of lading issued from that date. The charge applies, among others, to Constanta in Romania, Varna and Burgas in Bulgaria, as well as Poti and the other Black Sea ports served by the carrier.

For a 40-foot container, the cost will be 70 USD. The surcharge applies to dry, reefer, oversized and special cargo. According to the information described by the source, the decision follows the Joint War Committee’s classification of the maritime Black Sea area as a war risk zone in September.

Romanian and Bulgarian ports are gateways for road haulage towards Romania, Hungary, Serbia and Moldova. The ocean cost should therefore be verified before quoting a single price for the entire route, rather than only after the port-to-door transport has been confirmed. Source: Trans.INFO

Diesel remains expensive in Europe despite higher Russian exports

Russia has extended its diesel export ban for producers until 31 January 2027, while allowing selected deliveries of 2,15 million tonnes in November, compared with 510 thousand tonnes in October. According to the source, the additional volumes are intended for global markets rather than directly for the European Union, which has banned imports of Russian refined products since 2023.

The reported average diesel price in the EU was 2,146 EUR/l on 26 October 2026, rising for the second consecutive week. The source indicates a range from 1,210 EUR/l in Malta to 2,547 EUR/l in Finland. Such wide national differences limit the usefulness of applying one unchanged fuel assumption across Europe.

For road freight, higher exports from Russia are not in themselves grounds for automatically reducing fuel indexation. The actual fuel cost in the country where the haulage is performed remains more important, as does the clause governing its pass-through in the contract with the customer and carrier. Source: Trans.INFO

In brief

• From 4 November 2026, EU technical requirements for equipment used to secure semi-trailers on freight wagons apply directly. They cover, among other things, strength, locking force, markings and indicators; some transitional periods run until 4 May 2027. When purchasing semi-trailer–rail capacity, confirm that the equipment complies with the operator’s and terminal’s requirements. Source: EUR-Lex

• German insolvency publications dated 4 November 2026 include cases involving, among others, TOP COURIER EXPRESS & LOGISTICS in Düsseldorf, SAL Scholz Automotive Logistik in Frankfurt and UTL Uyar Transport Logistik in Duisburg. This is a signal to recheck a business partner before placing a load, changing payment details or granting trade credit. Source: Uebernahmeradar

• In the Netherlands, Diligence Vervoer B.V. of Breskens appeared on the insolvency list dated 4 November 2026, while a sector update also records F & M of Nijmegen. The entry alone does not determine the scale of operational activity, but it justifies confirming the company’s trading status before releasing goods and paying the freight. Source: FaillissementsDossier