All news & events

Last week, CLECAT submitted its input to the evaluation of the Train Driver requirements. The initiative aims at improving the EU harmonised certification scheme for train drivers by ensuring that it is future-proof, keeps pace with technological progress and increased demand for international journeys, and makes the train-driving profession more diverse and attractive to young people.

This week, CLECAT participated in the meetings of the Digital Transport and Logistics Forum’s (DTLF) Subgroup 1 on paperless transport and Subgroup 2 (Federated Network of Platforms). The DTLF’s Subgroup 1, which is the formal Commission Expert Group on the eFTI Regulation, presented the progress and planned next steps of the individual teams on data-, functional-, and technical aspects, as well as certification and implementation.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for global air cargo markets in August 2022, which demonstrated the industry’s resilience amid economic uncertainties. According to the statistics, global demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs), fell 8.3% compared to August 2021, representing a slight improvement on the year-on-year decline of 9.7% seen in July. Simultaneously, capacity was 6.3% above August 2021, which is a significant expansion over the 3.6% year-on-year increase in July.

On 6 October, the European Parliament voted on the European Commission’s proposal to amend the slot utilisation rules at Union airports, endorsing a gradual return to the utilisation rate of 80%. As of 30 October 2022, airlines would have to use 75 % of their planned take-off and landing slots (instead of the 80% required before the pandemic) in order to keep them the following season. From the 2023 summer season, the standard 80% slot utilisation requirement should apply.

The Russian Government issued a resolution on 30 September 2022 imposing a ban on certain foreign freight vehicles owned by foreign transport operators and registered in foreign states to undertake road transport operations on Russian territory.

Last week, the European Commission sent reasoned opinions to Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal and Slovenia for failing to communicate the national measures taken to transpose Directive (EU) 2020/1057 on the posting of road transport drivers.

Last week, CLECAT and 9 other organisations representing all parts of the maritime supply chain issued a joint statement calling for the earmarking of the EU ETS revenues to the European maritime sector to foster its decarbonisation.

On 4 October, CLECAT’s Air Freight Institute met to discuss legislative and non-legislative developments relating to the EU Aviation Acquis, as well as aviation security, sustainability, digitalisation, and the impact of the energy crisis on the air freight forwarding industry. Later in the day, CLECAT’s Supply Chain Security Institute met to discuss developments in land transport, aviation, and cybersecurity.

Earlier this week, the European Commission sent to Member States for consultation a draft proposal to prolong and adjust the State aid Temporary Crisis Framework. This communication, first adopted on 23 March 2022 and amended on 20 July, enables Member States to use the flexibility foreseen under State aid rules to support the economy in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine.

On 6 October, the Council adopted the eighth package of hard-hitting sanctions against Russia for its aggression against Ukraine.