Transport: French port strike and cost pressures

Market today in figures (CargoNice data)

The Orlen diesel price is 7,08 PLN/l as of 4 November 2026, down by 0,08 PLN/l from the previous reading. The Polish diesel price in the EU comparison is 1 781,19 EUR/1000L as of 26 October 2026, while the German price was 2 298,00 EUR/1000L on the same day. The spot rate on the Poland–Germany route is 2,15 EUR/km as of 2 November 2026, representing a change of -0,15 EUR/km.

The load-to-truck ratio fell to 3,50 load/vehicle as of 2 November 2026. The data point to a weaker relationship between demand for haulage and vehicle availability, even though some fuel costs remain significant in the pricing of international routes.

France: port strike increases operational risk

A nationwide 24-hour strike at French ports has been announced for 5 November. Operational information indicates that the action follows disruptions on 30 October, which restricted container handling and complicated road operations around the ports.

The main problem for the freight forwarder may not be limited to the formal duration of the strike. Gate time slots, container collections and deliveries, and vehicle planning after the action are all at risk. As a result, confirmation of a time slot with the terminal should not replace confirmation of the carrier’s actual readiness and the collection location.

Port update source: Source: Hillebrand Gori.

Czechia: diesel price cap on 4 November

The Czech Ministry of Finance set the maximum price of standard diesel at 49,00 CZK/l including VAT for 4 November 2026. The cap applies nationwide. Fuel price regulation and the reduced excise duty on diesel are to remain in force until 30 November.

According to the ministry, the excise-duty reduction amounts to 1,939 CZK/l before VAT, or 2,35 CZK/l including VAT. For haulage operations through Czechia, it is crucial to distinguish between the regulated retail purchase price and the individual fuel terms agreed with the carrier or subcontractor.

Regulation source: Source: Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic.

Cargo security: losses are concentrated in high-value incidents

TAPA EMEA recorded 40 587 cargo crime reports in September. The dataset was strongly influenced by reporting from South Africa, so the total number of reports alone does not directly describe the scale of the threat on European routes.

The value of the loss was provided for only 220 incidents, or 0,5% of reports, but amounted to 24,76 million EUR. The average loss in cases with a disclosed value reached 112 559 EUR. In Europe, the highest number of reports was recorded in Germany, followed by Italy, France and Spain.

The data support treating high-value goods and theft-prone loads separately. The number of incidents should not be the sole criterion when selecting parking areas and routes or defining security requirements and the scope of insurance cover.

Data source: Source: Trans.info / TAPA EMEA.

Carrier financial health: Poland and the United Kingdom require risk controls

Polish road freight companies had 1,32 billion PLN in overdue liabilities in October, 26 million PLN more than a year earlier. The register identified 23 738 indebted companies, an increase of 716 year on year. At the same time, 43 280 licences for international road haulage were valid at the end of July, 644 fewer than at the end of 2025.

In the United Kingdom, 52 transport and logistics companies had entered administration since the beginning of 2026. The list included road haulage, freight forwarding, logistics, fulfilment, maritime and aviation companies; the highest monthly figure was 9 cases in June.

The two signals concern different markets but have a common operational implication: a history of cooperation does not replace a current assessment of a subcontractor’s liquidity. New business relationships, transport orders with long payment terms and haulage requiring backup capacity require particularly close scrutiny.

Sources: Source: KRD and Source: Trans.info.