News

ELP EVENT ON DISRUPTIONS IN THE MARITIME LOGISTICS SUPPLY CHAINS

The European Logistics Platform will organise a webinar on the ongoing disruptions in the maritime logistics supply chains on the 26 April hosted by MEP Caroline Nagtegaal. For more than 2 years, COVID-19 and measures related to the pandemic, such as lockdowns and border closures, have disrupted value chains and demonstrated the lack of resilience in global maritime supply chains.

TRAN DISCUSSES AMENDMENTS TO THE AFIR PROPOSAL

On 19 April, the EP’s Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN) exchanged views on the amendments submitted to Rapporteur Ismail Ertug’s (S&D, Germany) draft report on the proposal for an Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR). CLECAT is pleased that a majority its proposals have been supported by many MEPs.

CARRIERS ROLL OUT MORE BLANK SAILINGS IN A BID TO UNDERPIN SLIDE IN SPOT RATES

The Loadstar issued a story today noting that the 2M alliance is preparing to blank three Asia-North Europe sailings next month, as export demand from China plummets and container spot rates come under increased pressure.

TRANSPORT OF CARGO IN PASSENGER CABIN TO CEASE AFTER 31 JULY

On 11 April, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) announced that it will no longer allow the transport of cargo in the passenger cabin after 31 July 2022. Since 2020, EASA has issued such approvals and exemptions for the transport of cargo in passenger cabins on a case-by-case basis, which were time-limited until 31 July 2022.

RUSSIAN AIRLINES ADDED TO EU OPERATING BAN

On 11 April, the European Commission updated the EU Air Safety List, which is the list of airlines that are subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union, because they do not meet international safety standards.

EP AIMS TO INCREASE AMBITIONS FOR REFUELEU AVIATION PROPOSAL

On 19 April, the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Committee discussed the amendments tabled on the ReFuelEU Aviation proposal. The Rapporteur on the file, MEP Søren Gade (Renew Europe, Denmark), noted that more than 400 amendments have been tabled by MEPs, with different positions existing under several points, namely the definition of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), feedstocks, scope and the book and claim mechanism. He emphasised that overall, the TRAN report on ReFuelEU Aviation would be more ambitious than the Commission’s proposal.

CLECAT ROAD INSTITUTE MEETS

The CLECAT Road Logistics Institute met on 20 April to exchange views on developments affecting road transport and logistics at national and EU level. Members discussed the impact of the war in Ukraine on road transport, the practical implementation of the new rules introduced by the Mobility Package I and the political developments related to the Fit for 55 Package.

WTO WARNS THAT WAR IN UKRAINE PUTS GLOBAL TRADE AT RISK

On 11 April, the WTO Secretariat published the note ‘The Crisis in Ukraine: Implications of the war for global trade and development’, analysing the implications of the war in Ukraine for global trade and development. The war has not only created a humanitarian crisis of immense proportions but has also dealt a severe blow to the global economy, prompting WTO economists to reassess their projections for world trade over the next two years.

EU AGRI-FOOD MARKET IN SHOCK DUE TO WAR IN UKRAINE

On 5 April, the European Commission published the spring 2022 edition of the short-term outlook report, which presents a detailed overview of the latest trends and prospects for a range of agri-food sectors.

POLICY APPROACHES TO HARNESSING TRADE DIGITALISATION

On 12 April, the WTO and the World Economic Forum launched the publication ‘The promise of TradeTech: Policy approaches to harness trade digitalization’. The publication notes that TradeTech - the set of technologies that enables global trade to become more efficient, inclusive and sustainable - adoption is moving fast, largely driven by the private sector, but leveraging technologies for trade requires more than innovation: trade policy must keep pace.

COUNCIL ENSURES CONTINUED SUPPLY OF MEDICINES TO NI

On 12 April, the Council adopted legislation to ensure continued supply of medicines to Northern Ireland, and to Cyprus, Ireland and Malta, as part of the Commission's package of measures proposed in October 2021 to facilitate the implementation of the protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland on the ground. The new directive and regulation will apply retroactively from 1 January 2022.

FINLAND-RUSSIA RAIL TRAFFIC GRADUALLY PHASING OUT

Rail freight traffic between Finland and Russia will gradually cease after the existing transport contracts of state-controlled company VR Group end, with traffic being still possible for the time being.

€47.5 MILLION SPANISH SCHEME TO SUPPORT DIGITALISATION OF FREIGHT TRANSPORT SERVICES

On 11 April, the European Commission approved, under EU State aid rules, a €47.5 million Spanish scheme to support the digitalisation of freight transport services. The scheme will be funded through the Recovery and Resilience Facility ('RRF'), following the Commission's positive assessment of the Spanish Recovery and Resilience Plan and its adoption by Council.

€425 MILLION EU FUNDING FOR DUAL USE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

On 8 April, the European Commission decided to bring forward the date for awarding grants for transport infrastructure projects supporting military mobility in the European Union, under the Connected Europe Facility (CEF) calls for proposals launched in September 2021.

CLECAT Meetings

CLECAT Sustainable Logistics Institute
26 April 2022, Online

CLECAT Customs & Indirect Taxation Institute
28 April 2022, Brussels (hybrid-meeting)

CLECAT Air Freight Institute
14 June 2022, Brussels (hybrid-meeting)

CLECAT Supply Chain Security Institute
14 June 2022, Brussels (hybrid-meeting)

CLECAT General Assembly
16 June 2022, Location TBC

EU Meetings

European Parliament

European Parliament Transport Committee
28 April 2022, Brussels

European Parliament Environment Committee
28 April 2022, Brussels

European Parliament Plenary
2-5 May 2022, Strasbourg