Newsletters

CLECAT CALLS FOR A MORE EFFECTIVE CEF TO BOOST EUROPEAN TRANSPORT

On 22 May, CLECAT submitted its response to the public consultation on the evaluation of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). This EU funding instrument has been key in building a robust and interconnected European transport sector, which is crucial for a competitive, net-zero, and resilient Europe.

COMMISSION PRESENTS NEW STRATEGY TO STRENGTHEN THE SINGLE MARKET

On 21 May, the European Commission published a new Single Market Strategy, setting out a roadmap to create a simpler, more seamless and stronger internal market. The strategy proposes a series of actions to address existing barriers to intra-EU trade and investment, support the scaling up of SMEs, and promote digitalisation.

COUNCIL RESUMES NEGOTIATIONS ON WEIGHTS AND DIMENSIONS

The Polish Presidency has recently resumed negotiations in the Council on the revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive. While reaching a general approach before the end of June seems unlikely, it sends the right signal to finally address pressing issues for the European road freight transport sector.

EP AND COUNCIL REACH AGREEMENT ON EMSA MANDATE

On 20 May, negotiators from the European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement to update the mandate of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). This agreement aims to better equip EMSA to handle current and future maritime challenges, including cybersecurity, hybrid threats, and the greening and digitalisation of the maritime sector.

EUROPEAN PORT CONGESTION SET TO WORSEN

The Loadstar reported this week that congestion in European ports has continued to worsen, with workforce constraints exceeding forecasts in Bremerhaven, leaving stakeholders with very limited options.

FREIGHT ASSOCIATIONS RAISE ALARM OVER STATE OF GERMAN RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE

On 13 May, a coalition of European and national rail freight associations issued a joint letter to Germany’s new Federal Minister for Transport, Patrick Schnieder, voicing serious concerns over the deteriorating quality and management of the country’s rail network.

EP ENDORSES CBAM SIMPLIFICATION PROPOSAL: CLECAT CONCERNS ON REPRESENTATION REMAIN

The European Parliament has voted in favour of the European Commission’s proposed simplifications to the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), part of the broader “Omnibus I” package presented in February 2025. The aim of the revisions is to streamline the CBAM process, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises and occasional importers, reducing compliance burdens without undermining environmental goals.

CLECAT Meetings and participation in events

CLECAT Air Freight Logistics Institute meeting
26 May, Online

CLECAT Supply Chain Security Institute meeting
28 May, Online

ECTA General meeting
16 June, Online

CLECAT Board
17 June, Gdansk

CLECAT General Assembly
17 June, Gdansk

CLECAT Customs and Indirect Taxation Institute meeting
17 June, Gdansk

EU Meetings

European Parliament

European Parliament Transport Committee
2-3 June, Brussels

European Parliament Environment Committee
4-5 June, Brussels

European Parliament Plenary
16-19 June, Strasbourg

Council of the EU

Transport Council
5 June, Luxembourg

Environment Council
17 June, Luxembourg