acf domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/ecg/ecgassociationdev/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6121ECG — 2026-03-09
News from ECG
The recent sharp increase in oil and diesel prices is placing significant economic
pressure on the European finished vehicle logistics sector. ECG – the Association of
European Vehicle Logistics – warns that many logistics service providers are currently
facing rapidly rising fuel costs that cannot immediately be reflected in existing
contractual mechanisms.
Fuel price adjustment mechanisms are a well-established practice within the industry
to account for fluctuations in fuel costs between shippers and logistics providers.
However, the frequency of these adjustments varies widely across the sector. While
some contracts allow for monthly reviews, many operate on quarterly schedules and
in certain cases adjustments occur only every six months.
Given the current volatility in energy markets, this creates a growing time gap between
the fuel costs logistics providers must pay and the point at which contracts allow those
costs to be adjusted.
“Fuel price increases affect operating costs immediately. When adjustment
mechanisms only apply several months later, logistics companies are forced to absorb
these costs in the meantime, which can place considerable pressure on liquidity and
cash flow,” said Frank Schnelle, Executive Director of ECG.
ECG therefore encourages shippers and logistics providers in the FVL sector to
temporarily increase the frequency of fuel price reviews and adjustments during the
current period of market volatility.
A weekly review and adjustment of fuel price mechanisms would help reduce the time
lag between rapidly changing fuel costs and contractual adjustments. This would allow
exceptional price movements to be reflected more accurately and fairly between
logistics providers and their customers.
“Finished vehicle logistics is built on long-term partnerships between manufacturers
and logistics providers. In times of exceptional fuel price volatility, closer and more
frequent coordination is essential to ensure that sudden cost increases do not
destabilise logistics operations,” Schnelle added.
ECG will continue to closely monitor developments in energy markets and their
implications for the finished vehicle logistics sector.
Note to editors:
ECG is the established European platform for the outbound automotive logistics sector
bringing together logistics service providers, manufacturer logistics managers and
suppliers to the sector. ECG aims to facilitate non-commercial collaboration between
member companies and assist them in sharing best practices in many operational
areas, especially the harmonisation of operational standards.
For more information, please contact:
Frank Schnelle
Executive Director
ECG – The Association of European Vehicle Logistics
+32 2 706 82 80
info@ecgassociation.eu
www.ecgassociation.eu
About ECG
ECG, the Association of European Vehicle Logistics, has been the voice of the
Finished Vehicle Logistics industry in Europe since 1997. ECG represents the
interests of more than 200 member companies and partners, from family-owned SMEs
to multi-nationals, and is the major champion of the European vehicle logistics sector.
ECG represents all transport models at EU level- road, rail, maritime and fluvial. ECG
members provide transport, distribution, storage, preparation, and post-production
services to manufacturers, importers, car rental companies, and vehicle leasing
operators in the 27 Member States of the European Union as well as Norway,
Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and beyond. They own or operate more
than 470 car-carrying ships, 14,000 purpose-built railway wagons, 23 river barges, and
26,000 road transporters. As a major employer, the finished vehicle logistics sector
plays an important role in contributing to the economic success of the European Union.
Today, ECG members have an aggregate turnover of €21.3bn and their economic
impact on companies associated with the sector is estimated at €56bn. More than
210,000 Europeans are employed directly by our members.