{"id":405761,"date":"2026-04-15T00:59:55","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T14:59:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=70598"},"modified":"2026-04-15T00:59:55","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T14:59:55","slug":"rising-fuel-prices-force-contract-terminations-but-no-large-crisis-for-ct","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=405761","title":{"rendered":"Rising fuel prices force contract terminations, but \u201cno large crisis\u201d (for CT)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The first reports of terminated and amended contracts have appeared amid the growing diesel prices. Both the Slovak operator \u017dS Cargo and their Czech counterparts at \u010cD Cargo are said to have taken such measures. However, these moves are no reason for excessive concern for Combined Transport (CT), according to the Combined Transport Association UIRR.<\/strong>
\n<\/span>\u017dS Cargo is said to have terminated all commercial contracts involving individual shipments, as well as operations involving diesel traction, according to rail operator METRANS. \u010cD Cargo reportedly took similar steps, but the company could not confirm this to RailFreight.com. Both companies are said to have justified their moves by referring to the rising cost of fuel.<\/p>\n

More such price and contract revisions are to be expected. Fuel prices have been surging due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which some 20% of all oil products need to pass. \u201cWe are actively addressing the situation; however, it is necessary to expect a review and recalculation of all prices previously issued for all-rail solutions\u201d, METRANS comments on the situation.<\/p>\n

METRANS adds that it is observing a \u201cbroader development\u201d across the continent. More rail companies are reportedly weighing price revisions, \u201cparticularly due to the provision of first and last mile services at terminals, as well as due to infrastructure works and track closures, which in some cases require the use of diesel traction.\u201d<\/p>\n

No reason for excessive concern<\/h2>\n

The growing diesel prices are not an immediate cause for alarm for door-to-door Combined Transport, says Akos Ersek, Chief Policy Advisor at the Combined Transport Association UIRR. Diesel traction is a minor overall cost element of intermodal rail freight operations related to bypassing sections of line impacted by works. At the same time, cost increases are only problematic for rail if they are not mirrored in the road sector.<\/p>\n

That is not the case at this time. Both road and rail transporters are facing the same challenge. There is \u201cno large crisis\u201d yet, says Ersek. The situation is not comparable to a situation in earlier years, when traction electricity prices spiked and disproportionately affected railway companies, while the price of diesel has normalised.<\/p>\n

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Earlier, shipping giant Maersk<\/strong> implemented ‘Intermodal Fuel Fees’<\/strong> in nine European countries. This also came as a direct consequence of the rising fuel prices following the Hormuz Strait closure. It impacted Rail Combined Operations (RCO), trucking and, where applicable, barge and Barge Combined Operations (BCO).<\/p>\n

\u201cGiven the volatility of the current energy market\u201d, the surcharge was said to be reviewed periodically to adjust them to the situation, the company highlighted. Rail faced a slightly lower fee than trucks and inland shipping.<\/p>\n