Road haulage: PL–DE rate at 2.25 EUR/km

Market today in figures (CargoNice data)

The spot rate on the PL→DE lane is 2.25 EUR/km, according to the reading from 24 August 2026, while the DE→PL rate is 1.60 EUR/km as of the same date. Orlen’s diesel price is 6.75 PLN/l as of 22 August 2026. The average diesel price in the EU is 2 033,14 EUR/1000L, according to data from 17 August 2026.

Compared with the previous reading, the PL→DE rate increased by 0.25 EUR/km. At the same time, the EU diesel price rose by 20,47 EUR/1000L, which, together with the higher spot rate, indicates limited scope for reducing quotes in international haulage.

European road haulage: costs outweigh demand

The latest market update indicates that European road freight rates remain resilient, although demand for transport services is uneven. Fuel, labour, road tolls and regulatory requirements continue to influence rate levels. Weaker volumes therefore do not necessarily mean that truck capacity will become cheaper or more readily available.

The report also highlights a seasonal tightening of capacity on some European lanes. The holiday period and summer downtime are putting short-term pressure on vehicle availability. Contract rates on the United Kingdom–Germany lane also increased in the first half of 2026.

For operations teams, this means that subcontractors for collections scheduled for late August and early September should be confirmed earlier. Offers should retain active fuel and cost-escalation mechanisms instead of assuming that weaker demand will automatically correct the transport price. Source: Global Freight Market Report

Genoa omitted as imports are routed via Livorno

Hapag-Lloyd announced that the MSC LE HAVRE MM633A vessel will not call at Genoa on the MSE service. Import loads are being discharged in Livorno and are then scheduled to connect to the next MSE vessel, MSC MELINE MM634A, whose call was indicated for 22 August.

For imports to Italy, it is crucial to distinguish between the actual unloading location and the subsequent connection to another vessel. The change may affect inland delivery planning, container collection and delivery instructions, particularly where these were originally based on Genoa.

Exports are to be loaded onto the first available vessels, and the carrier has announced that updated booking confirmations will be issued. Before arranging inland transport, the freight forwarder should compare these confirmations with the documentation and the customer’s current instructions. Source: Hapag-Lloyd

New player in European automotive logistics

Sallaum Lines and Sallaum Logistics launched Sallaum Logistics Ltd on 22 August, a company dedicated to European automotive logistics. The new entity is intended to combine the group’s maritime vehicle transport with inland transport services in Europe.

The declared service offering includes international vehicle transport, movements between factories and ports, distribution from inland terminals, and deliveries from ports to dealers or distribution centres. This is a model covering successive links in the flow of finished vehicles, rather than just the road leg itself.

For companies serving the automotive sector, it will be important to monitor whether the new operator appears in tenders as a subcontractor or as a competitor for integrated sea and inland transport flows. Customers may expect offers covering both stages within a single scope. Source: Convene Latvia

Cyprus: more tonnes, shorter haulage distances

Domestic road haulage in Cyprus reached 43,97 mln tonnes in 2025, the highest level in the available series. At the same time, the average distance per tonne fell to 23,4 km, compared with 38,4 km in 2012.

The data shows that growth in total tonnage does not automatically translate into stronger demand for longer-distance road transport. The market structure is shifting towards shorter movements, which has implications for network planning, subcontractor selection and the way services are priced.

When assessing opportunities in Cyprus, it is therefore worth distinguishing local distribution from demand for regular long-distance transport. Growth in load weight alone is not enough to assess the availability or profitability of capacity for longer routes. Source: Stoixeia