In response to the effects of the conflict in Iran, the Spanish government adopted a broad package of protective measures. It includes 80 measures with a total value of €5 billion which – according to the assumptions – are intended to support Spanish households and businesses.
From the transport industry’s perspective, the key measure is the introduction of a fuel subsidy of 20 cents per litre, aimed, among others, at carriers, farmers and livestock breeders. In addition, greater flexibility in energy contracts and stronger powers for supervisory authorities have been предусмотрено to prevent abuse.
Even so, the transport sector has considered these measures insufficient from the outset. Industry organisations stress that the scale of support does not match the real increase in operating costs, above all in fuel.
Shippers want discounts
The biggest controversy, however, is not the amount of the subsidy itself, but how parts of the market are interpreting it. The Spanish federation of transport associations Fenadismer reports that some shippers have started demanding that carriers cut transport rates by the equivalent of the government subsidy, even though businesses have not yet received any funds.
“The aid is intended for the carrier, not the forwarder, so if we deduct these 20 cents/litre, what support will the carrier receive to offset the increase in diesel prices? The purpose of the aid would be completely undermined,” Fenadismer thunders.
Trying to pass costs onto carriers
Fenadismer points out that a similar situation already occurred in 2022, after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Back then, too, part of the market tried to use support mechanisms to drive down the prices of transport services.
As the organisation emphasises, if the subsidy is deducted from the transport price, a fundamental question arises:
“If we deduct these 20 cents per litre, what support will the transport company receive to cover the increase in diesel prices?”
Risk the market will “eat up” the subsidy fast
Another issue is fuel price dynamics. Fenadismer stresses that diesel prices are still rising, and without further support measures the current subsidy may be absorbed quickly.
The organisation also notes that the support cannot be used to artificially reduce fuel prices or be taken into account when calculating changes in transport rates. Otherwise, the cost indexation mechanism stops reflecting market reality.
Further decisions needed
The transport sector is not hiding its disappointment with the adopted package and expects further action. In the industry’s view, the current solutions are insufficient, and their effectiveness is further undermined by market practices.
As a result, pressure on the government is growing to prepare another support package that will genuinely protect carriers from the effects of rising operating costs.
At the same time, industry organisations remind that public aid has a clearly defined purpose and beneficiary. In this case, it is the carrier, not the shipper. Any attempt to change this mechanism undermines the point of the intervention and deepens the imbalance in the supply chain.
