CONNECTING EUROPE DAYS
Last week, over 4.000 transport stakeholders gathered in Brussels for the Connecting Europe Days 2024 (CED2024), organised by the European Commission and Belgian Council Presidency. Looking back on these insightful four days at the Square in Brussels, CLECAT is sharing some important takeaways:
Increasing the network’s resilience: the connectivity of the transport network is under pressure due to the impact of climate change, cyber threats, and geopolitical conflicts. The updated TEN-T Regulation and the launch of the new Transport Corridors aim to increase the network’s resilience to ensure connectivity, also with neighbouring countries, and be prepared for external threats – both physical and digital.
More money for transport: a strong, innovative, and agile transport network is imperative to address external threats and ensure economic growth and supply chain sovereignty. To achieve this, the EU transport industry is calling on the EU for a robust transport funding instrument under the next EU budget to achieve its green and digital ambitions for transport. See also the More Budget for Transport Campaign.
Capitalising on emerging technologies: innovation and digitalisation are key drivers for greening the transport network. During the conference, data-driven mobility was considered to be key to decarbonising transport. This includes Intelligent Transport Systems and artificial intelligence by optimising the efficiency of transport systems and informing policy decisions based on real-time data insights that deploy innovative transportation technologies.
Discovering the nine new 'European Transport Corridors' under the TEN-T network, which will extend to neighbouring countries like Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans. The conference demonstrated how to enhance connectivity with neighbouring countries and ensure preparedness against external threats through initiatives like 'Solidarity Lanes' and improving infrastructure capacity for military mobility.
CLECAT’s Director General, Nicolette van der Jagt addressed the challenges of the European Maritime Space’ in a session which discussed the key expectations and anticipated benefits associated with the implementation of the European Maritime Space, particularly in terms of fostering stable economic and strategic environments through common institutions and rules. CLECAT supports the European Maritime Space as it strengthens the multimodal connectivity of ports to the rest of the TEN-T. She noted that the attractiveness and competitiveness of maritime transport chains heavily depends on the efficient integration of maritime and hinterland transport. She also stressed the need to increase the investments in alternative fuels infrastructure to meet the decarbonisation targets for transport. CLECAT supports the proposed synergies and legal framework provided by the new TEN-T Regulation, but the challenge is now in the implementation with the proper funding.
In the margin of CED2024, the informal Transport Council took place. The Belgian Council Presidency presented the Brussels Declaration, outlining ambitious guidelines for the next European legislature. The focus is on promoting green travel modes and strengthening rail infrastructure. The declaration also calls for the development of rail freight as a priority for the EU's internal market, with a trajectory of increasing transport volumes by 2030 and 2050, to double the volume of goods transported by rail.