All news & events

On 2 February, the European Commission presented the Master Plan of Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail) at the meeting of the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Committee. Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking, the successor of Shift2Rail, is the new European partnership on rail research and innovation.

On 2nd February, the TRAN Committee held a first debate on the FuelEU Maritime proposal, which aims to promote sustainable maritime fuels and forms part of the ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package. The Rapporteur Jörgen Warborn (EPP, Sweden) started by emphasising the need to maintain the competitiveness of the EU maritime sector in the international context and to avoid excessive compliance costs.

On 18 February, CLECAT submitted its input to the call for evidence on the evaluation of the Directive 96/53/EC on weights and dimensions for heavy duty-vehicles. CLECAT welcomes the initiative to revise the Directive, setting standards for the maximum authorised weights and dimensions of heavy-duty vehicles used in national and international transport. This revision should contribute to a more efficient and low-emission transport system and harmonised rules for cross-border operations.

The European Parliament in Plenary session formally adopted on 17 February the revised Eurovignette Directive, updating the rules defining the charges member states can impose on trucks and lorries, but also buses, vans and passenger cars using trans-European transport (TEN-T) network roads. All amendments tabled for this vote have been rejected, the Parliament has therefore adopted the Council position which concludes the legislative procedure.

On 14 February, the TRAN Committee published the draft report of MEP Ismail Ertug (S&D, Germany), Rapporteur on the Commission proposal for a Regulation on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure, the so-called AFIR. Mr Ertug tabled 131 amendments, which will drive the negotiations among MEPs within the Committee.

On 18 February, CLECAT’s Customs and Indirect Taxation Institute (CITI) met online to discuss ongoing regulatory developments at EU and national level and reflect on important developments concerning post Brexit EU-UK trade and the future of the EU Customs Union. The CITI re-elected its Chair, Dimitri Sérafimoff, from Forward Belgium, and Vice-Chair, Olivier Thouard, representing TLF Overseas, who will continue to guide the work of the Institute for another term of two years.

On 8 February, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have completed new digital air cargo technical specifications guidance that shall help to accelerate the transition towards safer and more resilient supply chains, while making important contributions to COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.