Transport: German port strike and 73 Hormuz transits
After the end of the warning strike at six German ports, the risk of delays is shifting to container collection, time slots and rail operations. At the same time, lower traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and a higher August fuel surcharge in France are increasing pressure on fuel adjustment mechanisms and service pricing 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
- 2,00 EUR/kmPoland–Germany rate
- 2 266,00 EUR/1000LDiesel in Germany
- 73 passagesHormuz transits
- 21,05%Chronopost surcharge in August
Market today in figures (CargoNice data)
The Orlen diesel price stood at 6,73 PLN/l on 21 August 2026, up 0,03 PLN/l from the previous reading. The average diesel price in Poland was 1 685,54 EUR/1000L on 17 August 2026, compared with 2 266,00 EUR/1000L in Germany and 2 033,14 EUR/1000L across the EU — also on 17 August 2026. The model rate on the Poland–Germany route was 2,00 EUR/km as of 17 August 2026, while the Germany–Poland rate was 1,39 EUR/km. The increase in the domestic diesel price and the higher level of German diesel prices call for careful calculation of route costs and fuel surcharges.
German ports resume operations, but backlogs remain a risk
The ver.di warning strike covered the night shift from 17 to 18 August at the ports of Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Bremen, Wilhelmshaven, Emden and Brake. The stoppage affected container terminals and conventional cargo, as well as vehicle and rail operations. Source: DGB / ver.di
The resumption of operations alone does not eliminate the risk for already scheduled collections. Carriers and logistics operators reported the possibility of missed time slots, delayed import releases, longer equipment detention and delivery date changes. Source: Contargo
The pay dispute remains unresolved, so further industrial action remains a possible risk. For current transport orders, the collection time slot, cut-off, terminal release and subcontractor availability should be confirmed separately rather than assuming an immediate return to full fluidity.
Hormuz: fewer transits sustain fuel cost risks
An initial count recorded 73 vessel passages through the Strait of Hormuz between 10 and 16 August, compared with 91 in the previous week. Traffic remains restricted due to Tehran’s actions toward users of the strait and the US blockade of Iranian ports. Source: Lloyd’s List Intelligence
According to the analysis, shipowners’ limited willingness to accept exposure is supporting freight rates and vessel values. For European logistics, the most important direct consequence remains the risk of energy price volatility and the pass-through of fuel costs into contracts, even when road haulage takes place entirely within Europe.
Land transport contracts and inland surcharges require an active fuel adjustment mechanism. Freezing such surcharges without a review date increases margin risk as energy costs change again.
France: Chronopost raises fuel surcharge to 21,05%
Chronopost set its road fuel surcharge for August 2026 at 21,05%, up from 20,35% in July. It applies to metropolitan services, services within overseas territories and Chrono Classic. Source: Chronopost
The carrier bases the adjustment on the CNR professional diesel index from the previous month. The surcharge is calculated as a percentage of the transport price and related additional charges, affecting current sales calculations for road shipments, groupage and parcel products in France.
The freight forwarder should check whether the customer contract accounts for fuel separately. If the selling price is fixed, the carrier’s higher surcharge may be absorbed by the margin rather than automatically passed on to the service customer.