IRU: Freight Rates Set to Rise Further Amid Increased Costs

International road freight rates continued their upward trajectory in the second quarter of 2026, with contract rates rising 7.9% compared to the previous quarter and 15.2% year-on-year. The spot market experienced even more significant growth, with quarterly increases of 14.6% and annual increases of 13.9%, nearly doubling the pace of contract rate adjustments, according to a joint report by Upply, Transport Intelligence, and the International Road Union (IRU).

Specific routes illustrate this trend. For instance, the Warsaw-Duisburg route saw contract rates reach 1.45 euros/km, a 6.1% quarterly and 14.9% annual increase. The Duisburg-Lille route's contract rates hit 2.58 euros/km, marking a 13.1% quarterly and 22.2% annual rise. Similarly, routes like Duisburg-Prague and Antwerp-Duisburg also reported substantial increases in contract rates.

Spot rates, reflecting immediate market conditions, also surged. The Warsaw-Duisburg route's spot rates climbed to 1.51 euros/km, up 10.9% quarterly and 17.3% annually. Duisburg-Lille spot rates rose to 2.89 euros/km, and Duisburg-Prague spot rates reached 2.00 euros/km, with Antwerp-Duisburg at 3.19 euros/km, all showing significant quarterly and annual gains.

The report attributes these escalating costs primarily to increased fuel prices and overall operational expenses. Operating costs for trucking firms rose by nearly 10% year-on-year and 4.9% quarterly. This surge in operational costs is forcing carriers to pass on the expenses to customers, leading to the sustained increases in freight rates across various European markets.