Freight: DHL +23.4%, Maersk strengthens logistics
International freight forwarding is seeing revenue growth and continued scope for price increases, as confirmed by the results of DHL Global Forwarding and Maersk Logistics & Services. At the same time, investments in Madrid and Amsterdam are changing the available options for handling air freight, while fuel costs in Europe remain varied.
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
- 5,644 mld EURDHL Global Forwarding revenue
- +23,4%DHL Global Forwarding growth
- 4,5 mld USDMaersk Logistics revenue
- 2,08 EUR/kmPL→DE spot rate
The market today in figures (CargoNice data)
The spot rate on the DE→PL lane was 1.92 EUR/km on 2 November 2026, up 0.05 EUR/km from the previous reading. In the opposite direction, PL→DE, the rate was 2.08 EUR/km on 2 November 2026. The diesel price in Poland was 6.95 PLN/l on 6 November 2026, while the EU average diesel price reached 2 153.94 EUR/1000L on 2 November 2026. In Germany, the figure was 2 282.00 EUR/1000L on the same day.
The load-to-truck ratio fell to 3.50 loads/vehicle on 3 November 2026 from 5.30, indicating a lower reading of available demand relative to fleet capacity than previously. The euro reference exchange rate was 4.3916 PLN on 5 November 2026.
DHL: strong growth in air and ocean freight
DHL Group closed the third quarter of 2026 with revenue of 22.7 billion EUR, up 12.6% year on year. Group EBIT rose 16.2% to 1.7 billion EUR. The company maintained its raised full-year EBIT forecast of more than 7.0 billion EUR.
DHL Global Forwarding increased revenue by 23.4% to 5.644 billion EUR, while EBIT rose 32.7% to 259 million EUR. The company highlighted particularly strong air freight volumes from Asia and growth in ocean freight supported by Asian and European trade lanes.
For the market, this means that a major global operator is still recording growth in both revenue and operating profit. When pricing air, ocean and multimodal shipments, it is worth assessing procurement rates separately from the availability of connections from Asia to Europe. Source: DHL Group
Maersk: higher prices and volumes in inland services
In the third quarter of 2026, Maersk generated 4.5 billion USD in revenue in its Logistics & Services segment, up 13% year on year. Segment EBIT rose 19% to 259 million USD, while the EBIT margin improved to 5.8%.
The Landside division increased revenue by 12% to 2.435 billion USD. The company attributed the result to higher First Mile rates and a 7.1% increase in volumes. Revenue from forwarding services rose 19% to 929 million USD; Maersk pointed to resilient demand and higher rates resulting from fuel surcharges.
The results reinforce the importance of fuel cost pass-through mechanisms in door-to-door quotations covering the first leg, customs clearance and freight forwarding. When competing with an integrated logistics provider, it is essential to clearly separate the base tariff, surcharges and scope of liability. Source: Maersk
Madrid: FedEx expands cargo capacity ahead of peak season
FedEx has modernised a second cargo facility on the operational side of Madrid-Barajas Airport. The company's total operational airside area at the airport now exceeds 4 500 m², while the expanded facility adds 1 550 m² of warehouse space.
The infrastructure includes four semi-trailer bays, a roller system for up to 14 ULDs, and space for 5 700 shipments. A temporary customs warehouse is also planned. FedEx aims to centralise Express and Economy flows to and from the Canary Islands in Madrid, while increasing the consolidation of EU Economy shipments to Latin America and the United States.
For exporters and importers on the Iberian Peninsula, this provides an additional option for handling urgent road-air shipments and customs formalities. Before using the solution, available acceptance and cut-off times for the specific service should be confirmed. Source: FedEx