The Federal Statistical Office publishes the "diesel prices for deliveries to large consumers" every month. According to these figures, diesel prices have risen again for the first time since June 2014. While this is good news for many drivers, it's causing headaches for some logistics companies.
For many freight forwarders and shippers, this index serves as the basis for calculating the diesel surcharge. Since June of last year, it has steadily declined from its peak of €113.20 per 100 liters to €89.80 per 100 liters in January. Various factors have played a role in this decline. The strong dollar and the oversupply of cheap oil from Saudi Arabia have contributed significantly to the price reduction. For some freight forwarders and logistics providers, this has even meant a discount on the base freight agreed upon with their customers. While the index serves as a tool for long-term planning, not all diesel price agreements cover the actual additional costs. And by no means do all shippers even apply a diesel surcharge. Price wars are inevitable here, as some freight forwarders are aggressively competing in the market with lower purchase prices to attract new customers. However, how to justify a price increase to these newly acquired clients when diesel prices rise again is often overlooked. This in turn makes working in this industry quite exciting, because once satisfied customers often return to their familiar freight forwarders after such a price war, as OCS employees report.
The current rise in oil prices also has global causes, such as the war that has now begun in Yemen and the recent very weak dollar. However, OPEC representatives last weekend that the oil price would rise above US$100 again in the short term. Due to differing interests, even within OPEC itself, it is difficult to determine exactly how many factors truly influence the oil price. Forecasting is therefore not easy, and logistics companies are happy to secure any customer with whom they can reach an agreement on diesel prices.
Regardless of oil and diesel prices, we hope that the global crises will subside. After all, who has an interest in people's livelihoods being threatened because of geostrategic interests?
