Simpler. Clearer. More Customer-Friendly: New Calculation of the Diesel and Bunker Surcharges from 2026

As of January 1, 2026, Optimodal Nederland B.V. will simplify the calculation of the diesel and bunker surcharges.

We will determine and publish the reference values from Quarter A in the first month of Quarter B, and these will then apply to Quarter C:

  • Reference values from July to September will be published in October and apply to Q1 (January to March).
  • Reference values from October to December will be published in January and apply to Q2 (April to June).
  • Reference values from January to March will be published in April and apply to Q3 (July to September).
  • Reference values from April to June will be published in July and apply to Q4 (October to December).

Example – Diesel Surcharge:

For Q1 2026 (January to March), the diesel prices (€ per litre) from July, August, and September 2025 are used:

July 2025: 1.631

August 2025: 1.607

September 2025: 1.600

→ Average price: €1.613

Based on this, the diesel surcharge for Q1 2026 corresponds to Level 7 of the existing scale.

Example – Bunker Surcharge:

For Q1 2026 (January to March), the bunker prices (€ per 100 litres) from July, August, and September 2025 are used:

July 2025: 97.800

August 2025: 95.540

September 2025: 98.190

→ Average price: €97.177

Based on this, the bunker surcharge for Q1 2026 corresponds to Level 13 of the existing scale.

Important: The step scale remains unchanged – only the calculation period changes (now quarterly instead of monthly).

This new approach provides greater planning reliability, less administrative effort, and a smoother daily process.

For any questions, please contact David Wientjes in Rotterdam or Bernd Jäniche in Neuss.

Optimodal Nederland B.V.

Rotterdam, 11 November 2025