Maersk has instituted temporary fuel surcharges on European inland and intermodal services across DACH, BENELUX, and Poland regions in response to elevated global energy prices and Strait of Hormuz disruptions, with rates subject to bi-weekly review.
# Maersk Implements 12% Intermodal Fuel Surcharge Across European Operations
A. P. Moller – Maersk announced on April 8, 2026, that it is implementing temporary intermodal fuel surcharges across multiple European regions, effective from March 16 as a price calculation date, citing unprecedented cost pressures from rising global energy prices and geopolitical supply disruptions.
The surcharges apply across Germany, Austria, Switzerland (DACH), Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg (BENELUX), and Poland. Truck and barge operations will incur a 12% surcharge on applicable inland haulage and intermodal (IHI/IHE) rates, while rail container operations (RCO) will face a 6% charge. The rates are scheduled to apply through April 27 for non-FMC shipments, with FMC (Federal Maritime Commission) shipments subject to surcharges from April 16 onward.
According to Maersk's announcement, the carrier attributes the cost increases to "a recent surge in global energy prices amplified by the evolving security situation in the Middle East and its impact on worldwide fuel availability." With approximately 20% of global fuel passing through the Strait of Hormuz, geopolitical tensions in the region have created what Maersk characterizes as "an unprecedented cost environment" affecting landside and intermodal operations.
## Supply Chain Impact and Regional Scope
The surcharge affects Europe's largest inland logistics corridors. DACH represents a critical gateway for Alpine transalpine traffic, while BENELUX handles substantial volumes through the Port of Rotterdam and inland waterway networks. Poland serves as a major eastern European distribution hub and gateway to Baltic ports. The simultaneous implementation across these regions signals broad cost pressures on the continent's overland and barge-based container distribution networks.
Maersk has framed the surcharges as temporary measures designed to "ensure service continuity, safeguard cargo integrity, and secure sufficient vendor capacity across our network." The carrier notes that the fees are "cost reflective" and intended to offset increased fuel and energy expenses passed through by trucking, barge, and rail operators.
## Volatility and Review Mechanism
Given the volatility in energy markets, Maersk stated it will review the surcharge rates bi-weekly to account for "evolving conditions." This mechanism allows the carrier to adjust charges in response to fluctuations in crude oil, diesel, and barge fuel prices—a departure from more static fuel adjustment systems and reflecting the unpredictability of current commodity and geopolitical environments.
The announcement follows broader patterns in maritime and logistics costs. Fuel surcharges have been a recurring feature of container shipping since 2021, but their application to inland operations underscores how geopolitical disruptions ripple across the full supply chain. The Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for approximately one-fifth of global oil supply, has historically been vulnerable to regional conflicts; current tensions in the Middle East have reignited concerns about energy availability and pricing stability.
## Industry Outlook
The move may signal broader cost adjustments across the European logistics sector. Inland operators and competing carriers face identical fuel pressures, and similar surcharges are likely forthcoming from other major carriers managing operations in DACH, BENELUX, and Poland. For shippers, the surcharges represent a near-term increase in containerized freight costs during an already tight margin environment.
Maersk indicated it remains available for customer consultation through local sales representatives and expressed commitment to "supporting logistics needs through this challenging period."