# Oil Above $100 Increases Pressure on Fuel Surcharges **Category:** Industry News | **Source:** Freightos | **Published:** 2026-09-21 | **Updated:** 2026-09-27 **Tags:** Ölpreis, BAF, Bunkerzuschlag, Fuel Surcharge, Kerosinzuschlag, Dieselzuschlag, Seefracht, Luftfracht, Strassentransport, Logistik News, Transport News, Fracht News, Speditions News, Supply Chain News, Zoll News, Frachtportal News, LKW Transport, Zoll > Oil above $100 raises costs for all modes of transport. Key factors are the surcharge formula, base value, and time lag in the contract. --- Crude oil prices rose above $100 per barrel again in September 2026. At the same time, according to Freightos, bunker fuel for ships and kerosene for aircraft were around 60 percent above the levels prior to the latest escalation in the Middle East. For shippers, this does not mean that every freight invoice immediately increases by 60 percent. Fuel is only one part of transport costs. Additionally, carriers and freight forwarders use different surcharge models. In sea freight, the BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor) is common. In air freight, there are kerosene or fuel surcharges; in road transport, usually diesel surcharges. These surcharges are frequently adjusted monthly or quarterly. The basis can be a specific diesel, kerosene, or bunker index. Some contracts contain a threshold range, while others change at even small price jumps. The daily price of Brent crude oil therefore cannot be directly transferred to the next invoice. Additionally, the route plays a role. The long route around the Cape of Good Hope consumes more fuel than passage through the Suez Canal. High oil prices thus increase the economic pressure to use shorter routes again, despite the security risks present there. For Swiss imports, several stages often come together: sea freight surcharge, pre- or on-carriage by truck, and possibly air freight for urgent shortfalls. Those who only consider the main haul underestimate the overall effect. --- Disposition should verify with each quote which index, benchmark, and adjustment period applies. Shippers should record BAF, kerosene, and diesel surcharges separately from the base price. For long-term contracts, a price cap or a symmetric formula that also corrects downward in the event of falling prices is worthwhile. In short: It is not the oil price alone that determines the calculation, but the surcharge formula in the contract. --- Crude oil rose to over 100 US dollars per barrel in September 2026. Bunker and kerosene prices were approximately 60 percent above pre-war levels according to Freightos. BAF stands for Bunker Adjustment Factor. Air freight typically uses a kerosene or fuel surcharge. Diesel surcharges are common in road transport. Surcharges are frequently adjusted with a time lag. The calculation formula differs depending on the contract and provider. Longer detours further increase fuel consumption. ## Related Entities ### Glossary - [Bunker Adjustment Factor](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/bunker-adjustment-factor) - [Shortage](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/shortage) - [Freight forwarding](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/freight-forwarding-2) - [Main haul](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/main-haul) - [Import](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/import-2) - [Sea freight](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/sea-freight) - [transport costs](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/transport-costs) - [Fuel surcharge](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/fuel-surcharge) - [Mode of transport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/mode-of-transport-2) - [Air Cargo](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/air-cargo) - [Aircraft](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/aircraft) - [Sea freight](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/sea-freight-2) - [diesel surcharge for road freight transport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/diesel-surcharge-for-road-freight-transport) - [On-carriage](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/on-carriage) - [Diesel](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/diesel) - [Fuel surcharge (air freight)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/fuel-surcharge-air-freight) - [Bunker fuel](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/bunker-fuel) --- *Canonical URL: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/oel-ueber-100-dollar-erhoeht-den-druck-auf-frachtzuschlaege-20260919095032](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/oel-ueber-100-dollar-erhoeht-den-druck-auf-frachtzuschlaege-20260919095032)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/oel-ueber-100-dollar-erhoeht-den-druck-auf-frachtzuschlaege-20260919095032](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/oel-ueber-100-dollar-erhoeht-den-druck-auf-frachtzuschlaege-20260919095032)*