GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Sep 14, 2026

Diesel

Quick Answer

Last updated: 14 September 2026

Source: Frachtportal-News «Australien fördert mehr Güter auf der Schiene, um Diesel zu sparen» (14.09.2026); Australian Government, TRACK Grant Opportunity Guidelines (September 2026)

Category

Find a matching partner on this lane

Reading time

1 min

Words

155

Mentioned in

–

Definition & Explanation

Diesel is the fuel almost all land-based freight transport runs on: trucks, diesel locomotives on non-electrified lines, terminal handling equipment, reefer container units and auxiliary engines on board. For freight forwarders it is also the most volatile cost element, which is why contracts separate it from the base rate through fuel surcharges or a diesel floater. In economic policy terms diesel is a security-of-supply question: countries that import most of their requirement are exposed to conflicts along shipping lanes or to refinery outages – which is why some governments deliberately shift freight to rail and coastal shipping, both of which consume a fraction of the fuel per tonne-kilometre. In emissions accounting, diesel consumption is the most reliable basis available, since CO2 follows directly from the volume bunkered rather than from estimates. Diesel should be distinguished from biodiesel and HVO, drop-in fuels for the same engines, and from the heavy fuel oil used in deep-sea shipping.

Next steps

Matching tools and partners

Check demurrage/detentionCalculate standing charges and free timeOpen Calculate customs valueWork out import duties and customs valueOpen Check sea freight costEstimate FCL/LCL costOpen Find a matching partnerFreight forwarders and logistics partners worldwideOpen

Related Terms

You might also be interested in these terms

Hybrid Ship Propulsion Systems

Hybrid ship propulsion systems cut emissions without sacrificing the range and reliability that commercial shipping demands. They …

Learn more

Electric Truck

Unlike a diesel truck, an electric truck is powered by one or more electric motors drawing energy from rechargeable battery packs.…

Learn more

diesel surcharge for road freight transport

When diesel prices spike, a road freight carrier's base rate no longer covers actual fuel costs – this is where the diesel surchar…

Learn more

Alternative Drive Systems for Freight

Unlike conventional diesel trucks, which have dominated commercial road freight for decades, alternative drive systems rely on bat…

Learn more

Dual Mode Reefer Vehicles

When a refrigerated vehicle pulls into a rail terminal or distribution depot, keeping the cold chain intact during the stop is the…

Learn more

Renewable fuel

A renewable fuel is produced from biogenic or other non-fossil feedstocks – such as used cooking oils, animal fats or vegetable oi…

Learn more

Connect

Find a matching partner on this lane

Verified forwarders, ranked by coverage and profile — premium capped at 10%.

Search partners

Related news

Regulatory

Hohe Dieselpreise: IRU verlangt gezielte Hilfen für Transporteure

Die IRU verlangt Entlastungen wegen hoher Dieselpreise. Eine Verbandsforderung ersetzt noch keinen Beschluss über staatliche Hilfen.

Nov 2, 20262021 min

Industry News

Russia Resumes Diesel Exports

According to Reuters, Russia has resumed diesel shipments in Primorsk. A first reported cargo was en route to Morocco.

Oct 21, 202630601 min

Regulatory

Zurich: Government Releases Aviation Fuel from Strategic Reserves

Due to rail transport disruptions in Germany and low water levels on the Rhine, the delegate for economic national supply has authorized the early release of up to 30,000 m³ of aviation fuel from strategic reserves for Zurich Airport, valid from October 15 to November 1, 2026.

Oct 21, 202630111 min

Sustainability

Swiss Rhine Ports Launch HVO100 Deployment (Renewable Diesel Fuel) on Own Vessels

WILD MAA and BIBO REGIO are to operate on HVO100. The Rhine ports have initiated the conversion with an initial refueling.

Oct 17, 202636471 min

Industry News

Asia-Europe: Declining Spot Rates Support Contract Negotiations

Declining spot rates improve the foundation for contract negotiations. Route, included costs, and committed capacity remain decisive factors.

Oct 12, 202643841 min

Customs Processes

Tariff Rates Updated as of October 1st: Briefly Review Customs Tariff Before Filing Declaration

Tares was updated as of October 1st. No need to panic: Not every shipment is affected. However, it's worth taking a quick look at your existing master data.

Oct 7, 202642501 min

Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox

Free · No password · Never a paywall. Weekly top news and facts from logistics.

Diesel

Next steps

Related Terms

Hybrid Ship Propulsion Systems

Electric Truck

diesel surcharge for road freight transport

Alternative Drive Systems for Freight

Dual Mode Reefer Vehicles

Renewable fuel

Find a matching partner on this lane

Related news

Hohe Dieselpreise: IRU verlangt gezielte Hilfen für Transporteure

Russia Resumes Diesel Exports

Zurich: Government Releases Aviation Fuel from Strategic Reserves

Swiss Rhine Ports Launch HVO100 Deployment (Renewable Diesel Fuel) on Own Vessels

Asia-Europe: Declining Spot Rates Support Contract Negotiations

Tariff Rates Updated as of October 1st: Briefly Review Customs Tariff Before Filing Declaration

Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox

Community Questions & Answers