Newsletters

TRILOGUE ON TRUCK WEIGHTS AND DIMENSIONS EXPECTED EARLY MAY

A trilogue meeting on the revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive is expected to take place in early May, with the Cypriot Presidency of the Council currently aiming to schedule the negotiations for 07 May 2026.

COMMISSION CLARIFIES TACHOGRAPH 2 REQUIREMENTS

The European Commission has published a questions-and-answer document concerning the use of tachographs as a result of the amendments to Regulation (EU) No 165/2014 introduced by Regulation (EU) 2020/1054.

EU AND MEMBER STATES SCRAMBLE TO CURB OIL DEMAND

European Commissioner Dan Jørgensen has urged EU capitals to outline measures to reduce oil and gas use, particularly in transport, as EU Member States brace for further supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz amid the armed conflict in the Middle East.

FREIGHT FORWARDERS RAISE CONCERNS OVER WAR RISK SURCHARGES

Over the past week, The Loadstar has repeatedly reported growing frustration among freight forwarders over the introduction of war risk surcharges (WRSs) and other surcharges by major container lines.

CMA CGM VESSEL TRANSITS STRAIT OF HORMUZ

Bloomberg reported earlier today that a container vessel operated by CMA CGM has transited the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first passage of a West-European ship since the escalation of the Iran conflict at the end of February.

AIRFREIGHT RATES SURGE

Drewry reported this week a sharp escalation in global airfreight rates, highlighting how geopolitical tensions and operational constraints are once again putting significant pressure on air cargo markets.

EU–GIBRALTAR CUSTOMS UNION

EU Member States have approved the text of an agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom covering Gibraltar, with provisional application expected to begin on 15 July 2026.

EU–UK SPS NEGOTIATIONS FACE PRESSURE AS BORDER BOTTLENECKS PERSIST

The logistics sector is urging swift progress in negotiations between the European Commission and the United Kingdom on a new agreement governing inspections of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) goods.

SMART FREIGHT WEEK

CLECAT will join Smart Freight Week on 14-16 April in Amsterdam. Smart Freight Week is an annual flagship event dedicated to advancing global freight decarbonisation through industry-wide collaboration.

CLECAT Meetings and participation in events

Smart Freight Week
14-16 April, Amsterdam

CLECAT Customs and Indirect Taxation Institute meeting
15 April, Brussels and online

DG TAXUD Centralised Clearance for Import Business Group Meeting (CCI BCG)
15 April, Brussels

DG TAXUD Electronic Customs Coordination Group (ECCG) meeting
16-17 April Brussels

CLECAT General Assembly
16 June, (place tbc)

EU Meetings

European Parliament

European Parliament Transport Committee
8 April, Brussels

European Parliament Environment Committee
15-16 April, Brussels

European Parliament Internal Market Committee
15-16 April, Brussels

European Parliament Plenary
27-30 April, Brussels

Council of the EU

Informal meeting of Transport Ministers
28-29 April, Lefkosia

Environment Council
25 June, Brussels