The latest developments in oil prices are felt directly on the roads. The conflict in the Middle East has sent diesel prices soaring in a short time, and for many hauliers that means one thing: the numbers no longer add up.
Many are now facing an extra bill they did not see coming — and one that cannot be passed on. Fuel is not just another expense. It is often the biggest one. And when prices rise sharply from one week to the next, earnings disappear quickly — even if the rest of the business is run tightly and professionally.
An industry under pressure — with no easy answers
Reactions across the industry vary:
- Some raise prices at short notice
- Others absorb the cost themselves
- And many still hope the market will stabilise
But one thing is shared: uncertainty costs. Especially when agreements were made at a completely different price level, and margins were already thin.
Fuel surcharges are not the problem — they are part of the solution
More hauliers are turning to fuel surcharges as a tool. Not as a quick fix — but as a way to create transparency and fairness.
When done right, it can:
- Share the risk between customer and carrier
- Create stability in the business relationship
- Remove disputes over sudden price changes
But it requires that agreements are clear, documentation is in order, and adjustments happen systematically. And that is where it often becomes difficult in practice.
Having an overview is what makes the difference
In a day-to-day operation with many trips, customers and agreements, it is not enough to want to stay on top of things — it also needs to be executable quickly.
"When prices fluctuate this dramatically, it is no longer enough to manage operations well — you need to have your agreements and surcharges under control in real time. Otherwise you risk working without making money."
— Rikke Høyer, CCO & co-founder of DORA
When the system works for you — not the other way around
In periods of rising diesel prices, administrative work quickly becomes a bottleneck:
- Which customers have which agreements?
- When should surcharges be adjusted?
- How are changes documented?
These are tasks that take time — and where mistakes can be costly. A system like DORA is built for exactly this reality. It helps you keep track of agreements, calculate surcharges and ensure correct invoicing — without requiring manual workflows.
A more resilient business — even when the market shakes
Nobody can control the price of oil. But you can control how you handle the consequences.
For many hauliers right now, it is not about growth — but about protecting earnings and maintaining an overview. And in that situation, transparency, structure and good tools are not just an advantage. They are what makes the difference between loss and a healthy business.