Since early March, coinciding with the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East, diesel prices have increased by more than 50%, creating significant pressure on the road transport sector across Europe.
This situation is neither isolated nor temporary. The current energy crisis, worsened by geopolitical tensions and global supply issues, is driving fuel costs up and directly affecting key industries.
In the road transport sector, the impact is particularly significant, as fuel typically represents around 30% of operating costs, and can reach 40–45% under current conditions.
An increasingly difficult balance
Despite the existence of mechanisms such as fuel price adjustment clauses, the reality is that a significant part of the increase is still being absorbed by transport companies.
This is due to several structural factors within the sector:
- Fuel costs must be paid upfront, creating cash flow pressure.
- Empty or non-productive mileage is not always recoverable.
- Spot market operations are less able to absorb sudden price increases.
- And, in many cases, the practical application of fuel clauses still creates friction in client-supplier relationships.
In addition, financial arrangements with fuel suppliers have been affected. Credit lines that previously covered a full month of consumption are now insufficient due to higher prices, significantly reducing companies’ operating capacity.
A sector under pressure
Industry organizations have been warning for weeks that many companies are operating at a loss or close to their limits. At the same time, transport ministers have expressed support for state aid measures to ease the situation.
However, these measures are not reaching companies with the necessary speed or scope, increasing uncertainty and pressure across the sector.
In this context, it is not surprising that some operators are reducing activity or temporarily parking part of their fleets until conditions improve.
A key effort to sustain the supply chain
In a context of high uncertainty, road transport continues to play a fundamental role in keeping the economy running, ensuring supply and maintaining the logistics chain.
It is therefore important to recognize the significant effort being made by transport companies to maintain service levels under extremely challenging conditions. Collaboration between clients and providers, as well as a shared understanding of cost structures, will be key to navigating this situation in a balanced and sustainable way.
At Transportes Luis Tortosa, we truly hope the situation improves soon. We understand this is not easy for anyone, and we kindly ask for your understanding during these challenging times.
For our part, we will continue to do our very best to meet expectations and provide the highest level of service possible. We trust that, by working together, we can face this situation in the best possible way.