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CLECAT joined the ESPORG Secure Truck Parking Conference on 5 March in Brussels, where the European Commission, MEPs, industry representatives, and truck parking operators gathered to discuss the findings of the European Commission’s latest study on Safe and Secure Truck Parking Areas (SSTPAs) in the EU.

Ron de Leeuw van Weenen, Project Manager at Panteia, presented the study’s results and recommendations alongside representatives from the European Commission. The findings reaffirmed the urgent need to address the ongoing shortage of secure truck parking across Europe. Currently, an estimated 390,057 parking spaces are missing, with the most significant gaps in France, Germany, Benelux, and Italy. If no action is taken, this shortfall is expected to increase to 483,000 spaces by 2040 as road transport demand grows.

The study underscores several key priorities for addressing this challenge. The shortage of SSTPAs requires both the construction of new truck parking facilities and the upgrade of existing uncertified areas to EU SSTPA standards. A coordinated, EU-wide approach is essential to promote SSTPAs through cross-border collaboration. Mobilizing investment, particularly through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), will be crucial to financing these developments. Additionally, driver well-being must be prioritized, ensuring facilities meet the needs of a diverse workforce, including gender-specific accommodations. The study also highlighted the benefits of better connectivity and the need for an EU-wide reservation system to provide real-time availability and direct communication with facility operators. Notably, SSTPAs experience approximately 50% fewer crimes than regular parking areas, reinforcing their importance in improving safety and working conditions for drivers.  CLECAT contributed to the discussions, with Andreas Wilhelm, chair of the CLECAT Security Institute, emphasizing the importance of understanding the flow of goods to better tailor truck parking strategies.

Following the exchanges on the new study, the ESPORG Excellence in Truck Parking Awards were presented, with CLECAT participating as a jury member. These awards recognize outstanding truck parking facilities that enhance security, service quality, and working conditions for professional drivers. Recharge City received the award for large parking areas, mowiz TRUCK Porta de Barcelona won in the small parking category, and mowiz TRUCK Astigarraga was honored with the first-ever Green Parking Management award.

The event concluded with the launch of ESPORG’s Pledge Wellbeing Program for truck drivers, reinforcing the industry’s commitment to improving driver security, comfort, and inclusivity. This initiative promotes better rest and recovery conditions, a holistic approach to driver well-being, and efforts to make the industry more attractive in response to the ongoing driver shortage.