CEF 2021-2027 TRANSPORT PROGRESS REPORT
On 24 September, the European Commission published a progress report on the implementation of the 2021-2027 Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for the transport sector, covering activities from 2021 to 2024. The report highlights EU investments in the trans-European transport network (TEN-T), cross-border connectivity, alternative fuels infrastructure, and digitalisation.
The CEF Transport, with a total budget of €25.8 billion, has supported projects aimed at modernising and completing the TEN-T Network. This includes infrastructure for rail, road, inland waterways, and air transport. Between 2021 and 2024, over €21 billion has been allocated, with rail receiving the largest share (€15 billion), followed by waterways (€2 billion), roads, airports, and alternative fuel infrastructure (€1.38 billion).
Cross-border connectivity remains a key CEF priority, with 78% of funding going to projects addressing missing links, ensuring multimodality and harmonising traffic management systems. Over 1,500 alternative fuel supply points have been installed along the TEN-T Network, with plans to expand to more than 25,000 for light-duty vehicles and nearly 2,000 for heavy-duty vehicles. Digitalisation projects have received over €1.4 billion, focusing on smart and interoperable mobility systems, including ERTMS and freight information systems.
The report indicates that the CEF Transport budget for the current MFF will be fully committed in 2025, with no further calls planned unless reflows of unused funds occur. Nonetheless, investment needs remain significant, with the report estimating €845 billion required over the next 15 years to complete the core and extended core TEN-T network.