After crude oil pushed past $100 a barrel in early 2026, diesel prices climbed steeply across Europe. Between weeks 9 and 11, pump prices rose around 25% in Germany, 23% in Austria, 22% in Poland, 20% in the Netherlands and 18% in France, with smaller increases in Romania, Hungary and the UK.
The effect on operating costs is direct. On the Poznań–Essen corridor, fuel climbed from roughly 25% to 28% of total cost, lifting the price of a shipment by about 5% — some €62. Longer lanes such as Zaragoza–Rotterdam and Brescia–Manchester saw increases of around €72 and €84 per trip.
Sharp regional price gaps even triggered “fuel tourism”, with hauliers detouring to cheaper markets and straining local supply. For customers, it is a reminder of why GTL indexes its Diesel Oil Surcharge to real fuel-price movements and keeps every adjustment transparent.