the price gap for diesel has widened, climbing about 45% from a year ago as European suppliers face new rules and the push toward greener options grows stronger. diesel remains a key fuel for Coruna’s transport sector, where many companies still doubt green alternatives for their engines. the industry can keep operating by passing higher costs to customers, a move that shifts the burden along the chain and eventually reaches final consumers.
the manager of Pocomaco, Alfredo Candales, summarizes the impact: laws now require customers to absorb the cost increases in diesel. previously, buyers resisted rate hikes during peak fuel prices, but legislation has changed the dynamic. Candales notes that other costs are rising even more steeply, including electric equipment, workwear, forklifts, and labeling machines, which have all surged in price, complicating the ability to pass along costs.
juan ramón torres, president of the Dump Truck Cooperative (Codebas), explains that the diesel rise among partners, many operating in the port, is transferred through the supply chain. the industry either accepts lower margins or pushes prices onto customers, a move that contributes to inflation already running above ten percent.
csic researcher antonio turiel acar, who is scheduled to speak about the future of energy, contends that the diesel issue will not stay a price problem. he foresees potential shortages as global production declines, suggesting a European supply crisis may be near at hand.
lucía loureiro, vice president of the transport association Acotrades, cements the concern: almost all transport relies on diesel. if the price per liter keeps rising, other costs will follow, and inflation could keep climbing unless the government steps in with effective measures. loureiro calls for actions such as expanding the price subsidy for those who use diesel professionally to curb price growth, arguing that transport consumes the most energy and requires stronger support.
an alternative to diesel would be replacing engines with clean energy options, yet torres states that the future remains uncertain. discussions about hydrogen batteries and electric trucks are underway, but the lack of a robust refueling network is a major hurdle. there are claims of upcoming hydrogen stations at the port, yet real-world implementation is stalling due to traffic issues and infrastructure shortfalls. many fear the transition will be delayed by logistical bottlenecks, including how electric charging could be managed when vessels are involved.
torres also highlights technical challenges that are hard to avoid. Galicia’s terrain makes trucking different from routes to Castellón, and energy consumption is notably higher. he believes there is no true diesel substitute for industrial transport, though electric options might suit urban fleets.
electricity is not profitable
josé manuel reimúndez, president of the Light Transport Association, argues that diesel remains superior even for smaller vehicles. the increase in diesel prices looks set to be permanent, he notes, with many carriers considering exit strategies. at the same time, reliance on electric vehicles seems impractical due to charging gaps and limited profitability. for round-the-clock service, the unpredictability of cargo loads when a vehicle returns to port complicates operations, he observes.
reimúndez also explains the high cost of replacing fleets. not every company can afford to swap ten, twenty, or thirty vehicles, and some are still paying off existing equipment. in his view, public administration has not done enough to protect legacy fleets from rapid renovations or forced upgrades.
a note of contention surrounds public procurement and competition, with some carriers accusing authorities of allowing illegal competition from older branded vans. he questions the necessity to renew fleets when tightened regulations could instead highlight better practices and safeguard established fleets during the transition.
on the fishing front, the diesel crisis also hits Coruna’s main industry. Felipe Canosa, a leading figure in the Coruna Fishermen’s Union, describes the energy squeeze and the shift toward new technologies. honestly, he does not expect an overnight turnaround. fishermen have endured a fuel surge for months, and shortages in March disrupted fresh fish supply. unlike road transport, fishermen cannot simply raise the price at auction to offset higher costs.
Canosa notes that price increases have unsettled the sector, reducing profitability and creating a sense of imbalance. looking ahead, confidence to invest appears slim. some operators are considering selling assets, while others remain hesitant about committing to new ventures. in addition to diesel charges, administrative hurdles and wage obligations add to the pressure facing the industry.