Dear Customers,

Please allow us to inform you about the surcharges set for the second quarter of 2026.

Congestion Surcharge (CS)

Unfortunately, developments over the past year – and especially in recent 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 quite some time. Extensive railway infrastructure reconstructions, which will accompany us in the coming months and years, represent a significant burden on the entire system. One of the consequences is the accumulation of containers in seaports and, in the opposite direction, also at inland terminals.

Unfortunately, we must state that these factors have a substantial 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 increasing additional costs for all parties involved.

We are currently evaluating the first months of this year while closely monitoring further developments. Although we do not expect a significant improvement in the short term, our priority 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 remain unchanged.

We regularly inform you about the current operational situation in our newsletters. We will return to the topic of the Congestion Surcharge in the second half of March, when we will provide you with a further update.
At the same time, we would like to thank you, our customers, for your patience and understanding during this challenging period. Our teams have also had to demonstrate a great deal of patience in recent months – each day represents an intensive effort to ensure the movement of every train and the transport of every container.

Fuel Surcharge (FS)

In connection with the current situation in the Middle East and rising fuel prices, we expect that it may soon become necessary to introduce or adjust the fuel surcharge. The current situation remains unclear, and therefore it is not possible to determine the exact level of the surcharge at this time.

We will continue 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 remain stable in the long term, and therefore 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 use of rail infrastructure will remain 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 quarter will remain unchanged at EUR 10 / TEU.

Detour Surcharges (DTS)

Due to ongoing construction works on road infrastructure and the resulting restrictions, detour surcharges remain 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 official statement from the relevant authorities has yet been issued.

We continue to monitor the situation and will inform you about further developments.

If no significant changes occur on the Hungarian market, toll charges for the second quarter will remain unchanged.

The current rates are available for download here.

Change in the General Terms and Conditions 2026 – Customs Responsibility 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 other terminals, Article 5.4, which regulates the assumption of customs responsibility for the transfer of containers between port terminals in Hamburg.

In the currently 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 assumption of customs responsibility during the transfer of containers.

If you have any questions, please contact the Pricing Department.

METRANS Team