6 min read
November 19, 2024
What’s In A Crude Oil Barrel? A Breakdown Of Crude Oil Refined Products
Read about the distribution of refined products that come out of one barrel of crude oil and how these outputs influence prices and trade.
Read moreIndustry Insights
Read about the latest trends, innovations, and market events in the transportation industry. From strategic planning to fuel management and supply chain transportation optimization, see what's new.
Sign up to be in the know
Get our latest articles delivered straight to your inbox.
3 min read
November 8, 2024
The Importance of Unbundling Your Fuel and Freight Costs
Discover how unbundling fuel and freight costs through Europe Fuel Recovery can lead to cost savings, increased transparency, and a lower carbon footprint.
Read more
3 min read
October 31, 2024
PADD vs. Fuel Recovery: The Case for a Lane-Level Calculation
Discover how switching from regional diesel fuel price indices to lane-level fuel reimbursements boosts shippers' cost accuracy, transparency, and fairness.
Read more
6 min read
October 4, 2024
Your Fuel Surcharge Program Is Hurting Your Bottom Line. Here’s How To Fix It.
Fuel surcharge programs lead to shippers routinely overpaying for fuel. Here’s how a market-based fuel reimbursement program ensures fair and accurate fuel prices.
Read more
3 min read
September 26, 2024
3 Myths About Implementing Fuel Recovery in Europe
Discover how Breakthrough dispels misconceptions about energy price management in European transport logistics with transparency, efficiency, and data security.
Read more
4 min read
September 13, 2024
Understanding Fuel Reimbursements: Europe vs. North America
Learn how Europe fuel surcharges, including the flat fuel share system and transport energy solutions, differ from North America. Discover opportunities.
Read more3 min read
September 10, 2024
How Fuel Recovery in Europe Works
Discover how Fuel Recovery in Europe calculates fair and accurate transport charges and maintains strong partnerships with transport contractors.
Read more2 min read
April 23, 2024
Fuel Recovery and T-Fuel Fortify Energy Market Risk
Discover how Fuel Recovery and T-Fuel can transform your fuel price risk management strategy. Achieve budget certainty, maintain relations, and mitigate risk.
Read more
3 min read
March 4, 2024
Revolutionize Your Europe Fuel Management Transportation Strategy
Fuel Recovery redefines Europe fuel management for leading shippers, enabling cost reduction, continuous improvement initiatives, and transport decarbonization.
Read more
3 min read
February 22, 2024
Do Carriers Increase Linehaul Rates When Shippers Implement Fuel Recovery?
Explore the findings of a third-party study conducted by e2open, which delves into the impact of linehaul rates after a shipper implements Fuel Recovery.
Read more
4 min read
January 30, 2024
How To Facilitate Productive Fuel Recovery Change Management Conversations With Your 3PL
Learn how best-in-class fuel management software, like Fuel Recovery, improves transparency for the shipper, 3PL, and carrier, and change management strategies.
Read more
2 min read
January 12, 2024
Mitigate Budget Uncertainty With Fuel Recovery
Unlock cost savings and increase transparency with Fuel Recovery. Learn how this industry-leading solution helps shippers reduce truckload fuel spend by 20%.
Read more
4 min read
December 28, 2023
A Record-Breaking Week: Spreads Reach Over 100 Cents
For the first time in Breakthrough history, we experienced an over 100-cent spread, the difference between the weekly DOE index and the daily cost of wholesale diesel, for fifteen consecutive days. Shippers on the Breakthrough Fuel Recovery program reimburse carriers closer to the reality of fuel procurement.
Read more
4 min read
November 22, 2023
Maximize The Effectiveness Of Fuel Recovery Change Management Strategies
Master change management with Breakthrough’s Fuel Recovery solution. Learn to effectively communicate its benefits and unlock your business potential.
Read more
5 min read
September 26, 2023
How The Future Of Diesel Will Impact Your Transportation Network
Diesel isn’t going away, but it is beginning to cede market share to alternative fuels. Here’s how shippers can prepare for a polyfuel future.
Read more
4 min read
July 18, 2023
How To Answer Tough C-Suite Questions On Diesel Fuel Costs And Emissions Reduction Strategies
Market-based fuel reimbursements empower shippers to save up to 20% on fuel costs while pinpointing strategic opportunities to reduce emissions.
Read more
6 min read
February 1, 2023
3 Global Fuel Trends Set To Define The 2023 Energy Market
The 2023 energy market will bring price volatility. Here are the 3 global fuel trends set to define energy prices — and how shippers can stay agile amid fuel cost fluctuations.
Read more
3 min read
January 31, 2023
Diesel Fuel Volatility Shrinks Shippers’ Budgets
Many shippers experienced extreme diesel fuel volatility in 2022. In 2023, leading shippers are using market-based fuel reimbursements to combat it.
Read more
5 min read
September 15, 2022
Autumn U.S. Diesel Market Outlook: Transparency Amid Conflicting Views
The U.S. diesel market is expected to remain difficult to manage through autumn and winter. Learn how transportation fuel market costs are being influenced.
Read more
2 min read
June 30, 2022
DOE Index Impacted By Technical Issues | Advisor Pulse
The DOE Index has been impacted by the EIA server failures, resulting in unknowns for shippers and carriers who rely on the index. The server has been delayed for two weeks.
Read more
4 min read
June 27, 2022
It's Time To Take A Second Look At Your Base Rate And Fuel Surcharge
Fuel surcharge schedules and outdated base rates are no match for 2022’s volatile energy market. Here’s why you should reconsider your fuel reimbursement program.
Read more
4 min read
August 25, 2021
How Is Breakthrough Fuel Recovery Calculated?
Learn how Breakthrough's fuel recovery calculates fair and accurate transportation fuel reimbursements. Get an clear picture of your transportation network fuel costs.
Read more
5 min read
August 11, 2021
Bring Agility To Your Supply Chain With Fuel Management
As agility in the supply chain gains increasing importance in today's rapidly changing industry, new applications for the concept emerge.
Read more
4 min read
April 6, 2021
How Data Makes The Difference In Your Intermodal Shipping Strategy
A dependency on inaccurate fuel cost data has held shippers back from seeing the advantages of using intermodal transportation as a fuel management strategy.
Read more
4 min read
April 5, 2021
How Shippers Can Address Transportation Fuel Costs In Their Next Carrier RFP
Breakthrough helps explain how true fuel cost visibility during the RFP process can help create a competitive advantage for shippers and carriers.
Read more
2 min read
March 22, 2021
The Industry-Leading Transportation Fuel Reimbursement Solution
See the difference between Breakthrough Fuel Recovery and the DOE Index with this infographic. See how a market-based approach is superior to a surcharge.
Read more
7 min read
February 3, 2021
The Importance Of Fuel Efficiency Benchmarking And Improvement Initiatives For Shippers
Over time, fleets update technology and the industry makes strides in improving fuel efficiency - are your fuel reimbursements reflecting those changes?
Read more
7 min read
January 12, 2021
3 Things Shippers Need To Know About Fuel Forecasting In 2021
Energy prices, including crude oil and diesel, have behaved erratically. Read what you need to know looking head.
Read more
12 min read
December 29, 2020
Transportation Industry Trends: 2020 Year In Review
The records set thus far in 2020 could point to shifting trends throughout the year and beyond! Read the most important events for shippers.
Read more
4 min read
December 18, 2020
Supporting Food Shippers With Industry Leading Technology And Insights
Breakthrough is proud to be featured as one of Food Logistics' Top Software and Technology providers in 2020!
Read more
9 min read
October 30, 2020
The Supply Chain’s Guide To Comparing Policy Of 2020 Candidates
As we face an important election in November, be aware of the implications that each candidate would have on your supply chain strategy.
Read more
8 min read
September 14, 2020
What Is OPEC? | An Overview And Implications On Crude Oil
You see it in the headlines and hear it in the news, but what exactly is "OPEC" and how does it affect prices in the international crude oil market?
Read more
5 min read
September 4, 2020
Baffled By Your BAF? A Look At BAF 2020
New strategies in the post-IMO 2020 marine fuel industry are taking off, but the already divisive BAF landscape has proven to be even more inconsistent.
Read more
7 min read
July 24, 2020
Diesel Fuel Tax By State: Impacts On Transportation Costs
Diesel taxes vary greatly by state. What are recent state diesel tax changes and how do they impact shippers?
Read more
6 min read
July 17, 2020
How Do Geopolitical Events Impact Diesel Fuel Prices In 2020?
Read why oil prices rise when geopolitical events happen in non-oil-producing countries. Breakthrough's Vice President of Advisory Services explains.
Read more
4 min read
July 13, 2020
The Cost To Produce Diesel Fuel: What Drives Transportation Fuel Prices
Why did diesel prices go up? Learn the inputs that drive up transportation fuel costs and how you can manage change.
Read more
4 min read
July 1, 2020
Factors That Influence Crude Oil Refined Products | Breakthrough
Learn the four key factors that influence crude oil refined products output — and see how these variables impact prices.
Read more
6 min read
June 20, 2020
OPEC’s Changing Role In Global Price Dynamics
OPEC historically had the majority market share of crude oil, driving prices and forcing the market. Read about new producers and how the game is changing.
Read more
6 min read
June 19, 2020
The Risk Of Over-Correcting A Low Crude Oil Price Environment
High prices cure high prices, low prices cure low prices. Read one outcome of current crude oil prices!
Read more
4 min read
June 12, 2020
Why Do Shippers Use The DOE Fuel Surcharge? A History Of The National Fuel Surcharge
Learn about the history of the DOE fuel surcharge and see why it has endured as an inaccurate pricing practice for decades.
Read more
3 min read
May 27, 2020
Fuel & Freight Update | COVID-19 Improvements Help Markets Find Stability
Wholesale diesel prices have maintained upward momentum since the widespread relaxation of COVID-19 lockdown measures revitalized fuel consumption. Many suppliers also remain motivated to restrain production in the push to reduce the supply glut brought upon by the pandemic’s demand blow.
Read more
9 min read
May 22, 2020
Why Crude Oil Prices Fell Below Zero: Understand Your 2020 Shipping Budget
When major events happen in crude oil, shippers need to pay attention because it can have serious impacts to their bottom line.
Read more
4 min read
May 18, 2020
Fuel & Freight Update | COVID-19 Improvements Lead To Slow Market Recovery
As the severity of the coronavirus pandemic's impact in the U.S. appears to slow, markets demonstrate slow recovery.
Read more
4 min read
May 11, 2020
Fuel & Freight Update | Markets Respond To A Tentative COVID-19 Recovery
As the anticipation for weakened COVID-19 influence grows, markets are responding with hopes of a better outlook.
Read more
4 min read
May 4, 2020
Fuel & Freight Update | Shifting Dynamics Leave Markets Volatile
In the ever-evolving coronavirus landscape, keep an eye on how shifts across energy and freight markets will influence your transportation strategy.
Read more
5 min read
April 28, 2020
How Fuel Management Sustains A Competitive Advantage Amid Crashing Markets
Even when markets experience drastic swings in a short amount of time, a market-based approach can ensure shippers are keeping all parties whole on fuel costs.
Read more
4 min read
April 27, 2020
Fuel & Freight Update | Market Turmoil Persists On COVID-19’S Dominance
Markets remain volatile, and as COVID-19 shows no signs of abatement, turmoil has persisted in fuel and freight markets.
Read more
5 min read
April 20, 2020
Fuel & Freight Update | Oil Prices Go Negative On Consequences Of COVID-19’S Demand Hit
In a historic event, oil prices go negative as a consequence of COVID-19's dramatic toll on consumer demand.
Read more
5 min read
April 13, 2020
Fuel & Freight Update | OPEC+ Agrees To Cuts, COVID-19 Retains Market Influence
In the most recent fuel and freight market update, the novel coronavirus remains the main price influencer for transportation, even as OPEC agrees to cuts.
Read more
6 min read
April 10, 2020
How COVID-19 Eliminated IMO 2020’S Impact On Over-The-Road Diesel Prices
IMO regulations capping sulfur emissions will impact more than marine fuel management. Find out what it means for OTR shipping, diesel fuel, and the economy.
Read more
5 min read
April 6, 2020
Fuel & Freight Update | Market Evolution Continues With COVID-19 Persistence
As the threat of the virus persists, the diesel fuel and freight markets continue to evolve.
Read more
5 min read
April 3, 2020
The Basics Of Base Rates And Fuel Surcharges
Are your fuel and freight costs combined into a line haul rate? Find out how unbundling, paired with a market-based fuel management strategy, will give you full control of your network fuel costs.
Read more
7 min read
March 30, 2020
Fuel & Freight Update | COVID-19 And OPEC+ Conflict Leave Markets Volatile
Every week Breakthrough is bringing clear, data-based analysis that covers the ongoing changes to fuel and freight markets due to COVID-19.
Read more
6 min read
March 23, 2020
Fuel & Freight Update | Evolving Impacts Of COVID-19 & OPEC+ Conflict On U.S. Markets
Tune in to the Breakthrough blog every week for the latest developments in today's COVID and OPEC-related fuel and freight markets.
Read more
6 min read
March 17, 2020
Fuel & Freight Market Update | Ongoing Impacts Of COVID-19 & OPEC+ Conflict
Every week we will publish an update about the impacts that COVID-19 is having on both fuel and freight dynamics so that Shippers can stay ahead of the uncertainties of the market.
Read more
8 min read
March 9, 2020
Energy Market Crashes Amid Coronavirus Spread & OPEC+ Conflict | Advisor Pulse
Read how the spread of COVID-19, compounded with an oil price war led to the market's largest drop since the financial crisis - and more importantly how it is affecting shippers.
Read more
6 min read
February 18, 2020
Price Impacts Of The Coronavirus On Global Fuel Markets | Advisor Pulse
As the Coronavirus disrupts travel and economic activity, demand for crude oil and its refined products is decreasing, influencing fuel prices.
Read more
11 min read
January 31, 2020
Energy Market Trends 2020: How The Energy Evolution Of The 2010’S Influences 2020 Market Dynamics
Energy market shifts throughout the last decade are influencing the way the market will move in 2020. Read more.
Read more
5 min read
January 30, 2020
Fuel Recovery Implementation Guide | Getting Started With Breakthrough
When considering a new supplier, most shippers wonder if the implementation will be a headache. Breakthrough makes implementations easy!
Read more
7 min read
December 13, 2019
Mexico Fuel Market Developments In Year One Of AMLO’s Presidency
The last Mexican election had a heavy focus on the in-flux fuel market. Read the most recent developments under AMLO.
Read more
5 min read
November 6, 2019
How Weather Affects Transportation Fuel Prices
Seasonal effects on transportation diesel fuel prices go beyond severe weather events to fuel blends, demand changes, refinery adjustments and regional impacts.
Read more
4 min read
November 1, 2019
Oil In Motion: How Crude Oil Transportation Works
Learn how crude oil moves from refineries to oil facilities and see which crude oil transportation methods are best for various needs.
Read more
5 min read
October 25, 2019
Beginner’s Guide To Upstream Crude Oil Fundamentals
To truly understand diesel fuel, you need to understand the whole process. Dive into the crude oil industry - from before the well to refineries.
Read more
4 min read
September 9, 2019
Bunker Adjustment Factors Are A Thing Of The Past
As managing marine fuel spend becomes more challenging, it is important to know that not all solutions are created equal - read why BAFs are a thing of the past.
Read more
3 min read
August 30, 2019
Will I Lose Fuel Recovery Savings To Linehaul Increases?
Many prospective shippers wonder whether carriers will simply reallocate their Fuel Recovery savings into linehaul - but that proves to be untrue.
Read more
5 min read
August 15, 2019
4 Myths About Implementing Fuel Recovery: BUSTED
Prospective clients often have the same set of concerns about their future Fuel Recovery program, but these myths can easily be busted!
Read more
7 min read
August 9, 2019
Diesel Fuel Price Impacts Of Hurricane Season
Weather events can have significant effects on domestic crude oil dynamics - which influences the price shippers pay for fuel. Read how.
Read more
5 min read
July 11, 2019
How Does Summer Driving Cause Diesel Fuel Price Fluctuations?
How do summer driving spikes in the U.S. impact diesel demand and prices? Learn about possible diesel fuel price fluctuations.
Read more
4 min read
June 21, 2019
Canada Carbon Tax | Alberta Withdraws Provincial Carbon Tax
The Canadian Carbon tax landscape continues to evolve as Alberta fights back on the federally imposed carbon backstop. Read more.
Read more
5 min read
June 14, 2019
OPEC’s Changing Role In Global Price Dynamics
Crude oil is the most widely traded commodity in the world, primarily because it is used to create a wide portfolio of transport fuels, like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, and it provides critical refined products for other industries such as petrochemicals and asphalt. All of this production amounts to roughly 100 million barrels per day in the market. Due to this versatility, fluctuations in its supply and demand dynamics influence price changes across a long list of commodities and equities markets.
Read more
3 min read
June 11, 2019
Diesel Markets Drop Like A Rock, Indices Fall Like A Feather
Read why indices lag market prices, skew fuel surcharges and cost shippers money. Learn how to avoid incurring excess costs with a market-based approach.
Read more
3 min read
June 9, 2019
Diesel Tax Change | Illinois Increases State Tax To Improve Infrastructure
Illinois joins the ranks of states that have implemented state diesel tax increases to support infrastructure improvements.
Read more
3 min read
March 7, 2019
The New “BAF” Program | Accurate & Transparent Marine Fuel Management With Breakthrough
With new regulations set to take effect in 2020, one of the most critical landscapes in which to manage fuel has become the maritime shipping industry.
Read more
4 min read
February 7, 2019
Understanding Mexico’s Recent ULSD Mandate
Mexico is undergoing significant changes in fuel quality and consumption, as fuel shortages and new low sulfur mandates add complexity to an already-stressed energy ecosystem.
Read more
5 min read
January 18, 2019
How To Navigate A Complex Maritime Landscape With Breakthrough
Since our inception in 2004, Breakthrough has been the pioneer in helping shippers accurately manage their transportation energy spend. What started in North American over-the-road fuel management has now expanded to an array of transportation landscapes—as shippers recognize the value of managing fuel across varying modes of transportation.
Read more
9 min read
January 11, 2019
Top Five Sources Of Marine Fuel Price Volatility In 2019
With the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) 2020 Sulfur Regulation deadlines looming on the not-so-distant horizon, tumultuous marine fuel prices are expected to continue throughout 2019.
Read more
3 min read
January 9, 2019
Savings Endure Through A Plummeting Diesel Fuel Price Environment
The transportation and supply chain industries have been keenly aware of the bearish crude oil prices that took a dive throughout Q4 of 2018, watching those low prices bleed over into refined
Read more
6 min read
December 20, 2018
The Media’s Effect On Global Oil Prices
Oil prices fluctuate daily, but how much of that is attributed to speculative factors like news media? From breaking news, to formal announcements, to tweets, news can have dramatic and lasting impact on oil prices.
Read more
6 min read
December 11, 2018
A Changing Landscape | Three Possibilities For The Future Of Mexico’s Energy Market
Three scenarios for future market outcomes in Mexico emerged at the US-Mexico Petroleum Summit this year, each dependent on current and future market dynamics.
Read more
4 min read
December 6, 2018
California’s & Missouri’s 2018 Diesel Fuel Tax Referendums
Read about the changes - or lack thereof - to state-level taxes will affect shippers' strategy moving into 2019.
Read more
5 min read
November 30, 2018
Key Drivers Of Fuel Market Volatility & How To Mitigate Risk
In a market characterized by both global and local dynamics, fuel costs are an exceptionally volatile portion of shippers' transportation energy spend.
Read more
4 min read
November 29, 2018
Position Your Organization For Competitive Advantage When Diesel Prices Drop
As crude oil and refined products prices drop, read how some shippers were ready to capture savings against traditional fuel surcharges with Fuel Recovery.
Read more
5 min read
November 20, 2018
How Breakthrough Clients Saved $6.6M In One Week This November | The Breakthrough Advantage
As prices dived through the first weeks of November, traditional fuel surcharge calculations did not. Read why you should use a market-based approach.
Read more
7 min read
August 29, 2018
Beginner’s Guide To Upstream Economics In The Crude Oil Industry
Understand the regulatory and operational process of oil drilling, oil and gas formation, and some of the economic variables oil companies are cognizant of.
Read more
7 min read
July 30, 2018
Key Drivers Of Tight Capacity & Utilizing Fuel Management
When capacity is tight, let your fuel reimbursements work for you, ensuring you are made whole on fuel costs and never overpaying by a penny.
Read more
6 min read
June 15, 2018
Intermodal Shipping | Benefits For Today And Opportunities For The Future
Whether it's addressing rising fuel prices, tight capacity, or increasing freight rates, intermodal should be part of your transportation strategy. Here's why …
Read more
2 min read
June 11, 2018
Marine Fuel Update | Emergency Bunker Surcharges
Several container carriers announced the implementation of Emergency Bunker Surcharges to mitigate rising fuel costs in the marine industry.
Read more
3 min read
June 8, 2018
Did You Notice? | The DOE Index Cost You $0.42/Gallon This Week
Using an index based surcharge system is costly for your transportation budget. A market-based approach can change all of that.
Read more
7 min read
March 22, 2018
Fuel Prices And Heavy Freight | What Shippers Need To Know
Organization moving heavyweight and oversized cargo have unique considerations concerning fuel management that can impact their supply chain. Find out more.
Read more
3 min read
February 27, 2018
Components Of A Successful Private Fleet Fuel Management Strategy
Three Reasons to Adopt Private Fleet Fuel Management. Choosing to implement a private fleet fuel management strategy is a decision that will save your organization valuable time and instantaneously affects your bottom line.
Read more
4 min read
February 20, 2018
Three Reasons To Adopt Private Fleet Fuel Management
Understand the intricacies of private fleet fuel management and find a partner that will help your organization meet your strategic goals.
Read more
5 min read
February 6, 2018
Forecasting Deep Dive | A Look At Predicting Market Outcomes
Understand the value and validity of forecasting key commodities in predicting fluctuations in your energy budget.
Read more
3 min read
January 17, 2018
DOE Diesel Fuel Price Index Surpasses $3.00
The DOE Index price is listed above $3.00. Read to find out the impacts shippers can expect and why a market-based approach renders this stat useless.
Read more
2 min read
December 15, 2017
Managing Fuel In A Newly Liberalized Market
Due to new volatility in the domestic energy market in Mexico, shippers need to understand how to accurately calculate and reimburse for fuel in their supply chain.
Read more
6 min read
November 16, 2017
Get Transportation Budget Certainty With A Fixed Price Fuel Solution
Budgeting for the cost of diesel fuel involves too much guessing. What if you could set a price and know exactly what your costs will be? Learn about T-Fuel.
Read more
4 min read
October 6, 2017
Are You Prepared For California’s Diesel Fuel Tax Increase?
Learn how California's diesel fuel tax increase will impact your transportation fuel costs, including possible benefits to shippers.
Read more
4 min read
August 25, 2017
Mexican Energy Reform | Deregulation & Liberalization
Understand the impact of Mexico's energy reform on shipping costs.
Read more
6 min read
August 1, 2017
4 Reasons Why Energy Management Matters When Fuel Prices Are Low
While fuel prices may be cheaper, it might not mean you're paying a fair price. Learn the truth about energy management and why it's important in a down market.
Read more
4 min read
May 4, 2017
Understanding Energy Reform and Fuel Prices in Mexico
Gain exclusive insights on Mexico's energy reform and how the introduction of these changes will impact shipping and transportation fuel costs.
Read more