Dear Customers,
Please let us to inform you about the surcharges set for the second 4th of 2026.
Congestion Surcharge (CS)
Unfortunately, developments over the past year – and especially in fresh months – show that the situation is not improving; on the contrary, it is becoming more challenging.
The year 2026 began with a period of adverse weather conditions that affected Europe as a whole. The effects of this situation gradually spread across Europe – from Northern Europe eastwards and later further south – and it has taken nearly six weeks for operations to stabilise. These weather-related disruptions have further compounded the challenges that have been affecting rail transport for rather any time. extended railway infrastructure reconstructions, which will accompany us in the coming months and years, represent a crucial burden on the full system. 1 of the consequences is the accumulation of containers in seaports and, in the other direction, besides at inland terminals.
Unfortunately, we must state that these factors have a crucial impact on the functioning of transport chains. Extended transit times of our trains, as well as the necessity to deploy additional personnel, locomotives and wagons, represent only part of the issues that are generating continuously expanding additional costs for all parties involved.
We are presently evaluating the first months of this year while closely monitoring further developments. Although we do not anticipate a crucial improvement in the short term, our precedence remains to do everything possible to stabilize operations and improve the situation.
Despite the unfavourable operational conditions, the Congestion Surcharge (CS) for April 2026 will stay unchanged.
We regularly inform you about the current operational situation in our newsletters. We will return to the subject of the Congestion Surcharge in the second half of March, erstwhile we will supply you with a further update.
At the same time, we would like to thank you, our customers, for your patience and knowing during this challenging period. Our teams have besides had to show a large deal of patience in fresh months – each day represents an intensive effort to guarantee the movement of all train and the transport of all container.
Fuel Surcharge (FS)
In connection with the current situation in the mediate East and rising fuel prices, we anticipate that it may shortly become essential to introduce or adjust the fuel surcharge. The current situation remains unclear, and so it is not possible to find the exact level of the surcharge at this time.
We will proceed to monitor developments closely and will inform you of the final decision around mid-March.
The determined surcharge will be applied effective from April 1, 2026.
Traction Energy Surcharge (TES)
Energy prices stay unchangeable in the long term, and so the traction energy surcharge for Q2 remains unchanged.
The current surcharge level is available for download here.
Rail Infrastructure Surcharge (RIS)
The surcharge for the usage of rail infrastructure will stay unchanged for Q2.
Current values are available for download here.
Imbalance Flow Surcharge (IFS)
For import services from Hamburg to Gernsheim and from Hamburg to Nuremberg, the surcharge in the second 4th will stay unchanged at EUR 10 / TEU.
Detour Surcharges (DTS)
Due to ongoing construction works on road infrastructure and the resulting restrictions, detour surcharges stay in force.
The current overview of affected destinations and related surcharges is available for download here.
Toll (TOLL)
Although changes to toll charges on Hungarian roads have been announced, no authoritative message from the applicable authorities has yet been issued.
We proceed to monitor the situation and will inform you about further developments.
If no crucial changes happen on the Hungarian market, toll charges for the second 4th will stay unchanged.
The current rates are available for download here.
Change in the General Terms and Conditions 2026 – Customs work Handling Fee
Finally, we would like to inform you about a change to the METRANS General Terms and Conditions, specifically Section 5 – Transport of containers to another terminals, Article 5.4, which regulates the presumption of customs work for the transfer of containers between port terminals in Hamburg.
In the presently valid version of the General Terms and Conditions 2026, this service is not charged.
Please note that effective from April 1, 2026, a fee of EUR 25.00 will be charged for the presumption of customs work during the transfer of containers.
If you have any questions, delight contact the Pricing Department.
METRANS Team