Transport: late ScanMed allocation for 2027

Market today in figures (CargoNice data)

The Orlen diesel price was 6,69 PLN/l on 2026-08-25. The average diesel price in the European Union reached 2 033,14 EUR/1000L, according to the reading from 2026-08-17, while the spot rate on the Poland–Germany lane was 2,25 EUR/km on 2026-08-24. On the same day, the load-to-truck ratio stood at 5,70 loads/truck.

The Poland–Germany rate increased by 0,25 EUR/km compared with the previous reading. With the load-to-truck ratio holding at 5,70, pricing pressure on this lane remains visible, despite the decline in the retail fuel price.

Rail freight in Europe: capacity constraint risks

The European Rail Freight Association (ERFA) is warning of serious rail infrastructure capacity constraints that have persisted since the beginning of 2026. The organisation points to line closures, insufficient diversionary routes, overlapping works and weak cross-border coordination.

For intermodal operators, the problem is not limited to individual closures. When planned diversions are restricted or works are carried out simultaneously on both sides of a border, the previously assumed transit time may no longer be realistic. ERFA is calling for better investment planning and compensation mechanisms for affected parties. Source: Agence Europe

In practice, it is important to distinguish between a rail quotation backed by specific capacity and one based on a standard transit time. Routes involving transshipment and contracts where substitute road transport may be needed at short notice require particular scrutiny.

Romania–Moldova: control model maintained at Galați–Giurgiulești

Romania has extended its agreement with Moldova on coordinated road controls at the Galați–Giurgiulești crossing for the period from 2026-08-24 to 2027-08-24. The arrangement applies to traffic entering Romania, with the control procedure continuing to be carried out on Romanian territory.

The extension followed a joint assessment by the Romanian and Moldovan border and customs authorities. For traffic from Moldova, Danube ports and loads linked to Ukraine, this means that the established formal model will remain in place for another twelve months. Source: Agerpres

This does not guarantee a specific clearance time. However, the familiar process reduces the risk of an immediate procedural change that could require new instructions for carriers, drivers and customs agencies. Quotations should still include a margin for operational variability at the border.

Ukraine: e-TTN and NCTS Phase 6 increase the importance of data

Ukraine has completed a two-year pilot of the national electronic consignment note, e-TTN, and introduced the system for official use. The update concerning international transport also points to the country’s transition to NCTS Phase 6, meaning new requirements for processing transit at the border with the European Union.

Data completeness, the use of qualified electronic signatures and the retention of electronic originals of documents are becoming critical. These elements should be agreed not only with the carrier, but also with the consignor, consignee and customs partner handling the border crossing. Source: Interlegal

The change increases the importance of operational document checks before departure. An error in the data or an unclear allocation of responsibility for an electronic document may result in a border delay and a dispute over the handling of the transport order.

Air freight: weaker volumes, with no automatic reduction in quotations

Global chargeable air cargo weight fell by 5% week on week in week 33, covering the period 2026-08-10–2026-08-16. Volumes originating in Europe declined by 6%, while Asia–Pacific traffic to Europe was down 3%–5% on a two-week comparison.

According to WorldACD, overall air freight pricing was unchanged week on week, despite declining capacity and rising fuel costs. The data indicates a late-summer weakening in demand rather than a broad market-wide price reduction. Source: WorldACD

For European freight forwarders, this may create opportunities to secure short-term road transport between the airport, warehouse and consignee. It does not, however, justify automatically reducing all-in rates if fuel costs and the availability of transport components remain volatile.

In brief

• The Scandinavia–Mediterranean rail corridor has published its final capacity offer for 2027; late path allocation runs from 2026-08-25 to 2026-11-05, ahead of the timetable change scheduled for 2026-12-13. This covers nodes from Scandinavia through Denmark, Germany and Austria to Italy. Source: RailNetEurope
• Moldova’s 2025 data shows an average monthly gross wage of 15 594,5 MDL, up 11,5% year on year. This is a macroeconomic indicator, but carriers’ cost clauses should be reviewed when entering into new contracts. Source: National Bureau of Statistics of Moldova
• At the Dorohusk–Yahodyn crossing, a train consisting of 64 tank wagons, measuring 818 m in length and weighing 5 100 t gross, was handed over. The result may support rail handling of bulk and tank loads between Ukraine and the EU, but it does not automatically guarantee service availability. Source: AgroPortal