Market-based pricing needed for a resilient European transport sector
Zwolle, 11 March 2026 – The ongoing fuel crisis triggered by the war in Iran is exposing a structural weakness in the European transport sector: fixed transport price lists are no longer viable in a market defined by volatile fuel costs.
“Fixed price lists act as a straitjacket in a market that changes every day,” says Maarten Klanderman, CEO of TransConnect. “Transport companies cannot afford to wait months for contract adjustments. They need pricing that reflects actual costs in real time. The current fuel crisis shows that flexibility is no longer a luxury – it is a necessity.”
As diesel prices fluctuate daily, transport companies are often forced to absorb rising costs for months before contractual price adjustments take effect. The result is mounting liquidity pressure, unpredictable margins and growing instability across the sector.
According to TransConnect, digital transport platforms offer a structural solution by aligning prices with real-time market conditions, including fuel costs, demand and available capacity.
Fixed price lists under pressure
The geopolitical tensions in Iran have driven global oil prices sharply higher, creating immediate cost pressures for transport companies across Europe. However, traditional transport contracts often only allow price adjustments after several months.
Industry organisation ECG (Association of European Vehicle Logistics) has warned about the consequences.
“Fuel price increases have an immediate impact on operational costs. When contractual adjustments only take place months later, logistics companies have to absorb those costs in the meantime. That places significant pressure on liquidity and cash flow,” says Frank Schnelle, Executive Director of ECG.
Market-responsive pricing for a more resilient transport market
Digital transport platforms such as TransConnect allow prices to respond immediately to changes in fuel costs, supply and demand, and available transport capacity
This creates benefits across the logistics chain:
For transport companies:
Costs can be passed on immediately and transparently, preventing liquidity problems caused by delayed contract adjustments.
For customers:
Rates reflect real market conditions. When fuel prices fall or capacity increases, customers benefit directly from lower prices.
For the sector:
Market-based pricing increases resilience and stability, allowing the transport market to absorb external shocks more effectively.
The approach also aligns with calls from industry organisations such as ECG to introduce more frequent price adjustments during periods of high market volatility.
Transparency as the foundation of a healthy market
As fuel prices, capacity and demand continue to fluctuate, market transparency is becoming a key requirement for a sustainable transport ecosystem.
“A healthy transport network depends on transparency,” says Klanderman. “When prices are based on real-time demand, capacity and cost levels, a fair balance emerges. That creates stability for carriers and predictability for customers.”
