29.4.2026 | Logistics

Fuel surcharges continue to spread across the supply chain as cost pressure persists

Shipping lines, hauliers and logistics providers continue to adjust pricing as fuel volatility exerts pressure across UK container operations. 

Rising fuel costs continue to affect every layer of the supply chain, with shipping lines, hauliers and logistics providers adjusting prices as energy market volatility drives ongoing cost pressure.

While fuel-related surcharges have been in place for some time, recent fluctuations in global energy markets, partly linked to instability in the Middle East and key shipping routes, have intensified the situation.

In a recent update, Maersk confirmed the introduction of a UK intermodal fuel fee, adding that the charge will be reviewed regularly in line with market conditions.

Similarly, Hapag-Lloyd has announced emergency energy surcharges across parts of its inland transport network, citing substantial increases in fuel and energy costs.

Across the UK, hauliers and logistics providers are applying and adjusting fuel surcharges as rising costs move into day-to-day operations and into customer pricing.

Darren Walne, Managing Director of container haulier 3PL, said the speed and volatility of recent increases remain a key challenge:

“We’ve seen fuel costs rise sharply over a short period, and, like many operators, we’ve had to adjust surcharges to manage this. The challenge isn’t just the cost itself – it’s the speed of change and the knock-on impact on planning, pricing and margins. It’s another layer of pressure on an already cost-sensitive part of the supply chain.”

For UK hauliers in particular, the issue is not just the level of costs, but the pace at which they continue to change. Where contracts are fixed or slow to adjust, operators are often left to absorb increases before they can be recovered.

While surcharges provide a mechanism for cost recovery, they also signal a broader shift. As pricing becomes increasingly tied to global energy markets, transport costs are becoming more dynamic, adding complexity for both operators and customers.

For ports, terminals and intermodal operators, the direction remains clear: fuel is no longer a background cost; it is central to planning, pricing and operational decision-making across the UK supply chain.