Transport: costs in the Netherlands to rise by 3.3%

Market today in figures (CargoNice data)

The ORLEN diesel price stood at 7.16 PLN/l on 9 October 2026; compared with the previous reading, it increased by 0.22 PLN/l. The average diesel price in the EU reached 2 148.53 EUR/1000L on 5 October 2026, while in Germany it stood at 2 254.00 EUR/1000L on the same day. The model rate on the Germany–Poland corridor was 1.68 EUR/km on 5 October 2026, while on the Poland–Germany route it was 2.12 EUR/km. A decline in the EU fuel benchmark does not remove cost pressure on individual carriers, particularly where energy surcharges, wages and road tolls also apply.

Netherlands: higher transport cost base in 2027

A Panteia study covering 2026–2027 indicates that the cost of international road haulage in the Netherlands will rise by 2.9%–3.3% in 2027. The forecast does not include changes in fuel prices or the truck levy, so it should not be treated as a complete picture of future transport prices.

Driver labour costs are expected to rise the most, by 4.9%, while insurance costs in cross-border haulage are forecast to increase by 7.1%. In addition, the Dutch per-kilometre charge for heavy goods vehicles is set to apply throughout 2027; the transitional discount period from late 2026 will end, and rates will be indexed.

For shippers and operators buying capacity in the Netherlands, this means that contracts should separate base costs, fuel and road tolls. This structure reduces the risk of negotiating a subsequent price adjustment only after the cost has been incurred.

Source: Panteia Source: TLN

Maersk raises emergency surcharges in northern markets

From 7 October, Maersk has applied a 20% emergency fuel and energy surcharge to Store Door shipments in Estonia. Temporary rules for other markets specify 14% in Denmark and 10% in Sweden.

Another change concerns the United Kingdom and Ireland: from 12 October, the surcharge there is to be 20%. The carrier links these measures to higher energy costs, the security situation in the Middle East and pressure on fuel availability.

The surcharge applies to inland legs controlled by Maersk, so it is necessary to check not only transport rates but also the structure of door-to-door pricing. It is particularly important to establish whether the cost is already covered by the customer's fuel clause or should be shown as a separate item.

Source: PortNews

Channel Tunnel: LeShuttle truck traffic increases

LeShuttle Freight carried 102 014 trucks in September, up 8% year on year. Since the beginning of 2026, more than 883 000 heavy goods vehicles have already travelled via the Folkestone–Calais connection.

This is an important signal for accompanied freight transport between the United Kingdom and France. The data does not determine availability on any particular day or indicate price levels, but it confirms the higher volume handled on this crossing.

For freight forwarding operations serving UK–EU lanes, the key is to check capacity together with the booking and monitor carriers' price changes. Particular attention is also required for transport orders whose collection or delivery falls during the period when Maersk's UK–Ireland surcharge applies.

Source: Getlink

Germany–Italy: more capacity on the intermodal connection

CargoBeamer has increased the frequency of the Kaldenkirchen–Domodossola connection to 22 round trips per week. The route between Germany and Italy is 825 km long, with a declared transit time of 23 hours.

The operator accepts craneable semi-trailers and non-liftable semi-trailers, as well as containers, swap bodies, tank units and selected ADR loads. The denser timetable increases the number of possible booking dates on the Alpine corridor.

The service does not automatically replace road transport: the calculation must include feeder and collection legs as well as the requirements of the loading unit. However, it can provide an additional option for Italy–DACH lanes when road capacity is limited by driver availability, capacity constraints or emissions requirements.

Source: CargoBeamer Source: Supply Chain Italy

In brief

• The European Commission published its weekly Oil Bulletin on 8 October, containing petroleum product prices, tax data and a diesel map for EU countries. The common benchmark can be used to monitor fuel indexation on international routes. Source: European Commission
• Europa Road has started working with Heppner in France and Goldair Group in Greece. The new arrangement includes five daily departures from Strasbourg, Gonesse, Lille, Lyon and Le Mans, as well as a weekly service to Athens. Source: FBJ