News

CLECAT MEETS ECA TO DISCUSS AEO

CLECAT met with the European Court of Auditors (ECA) in Brussels earlier this week, to discuss the implementation of the EU AEO programme, as part of an ongoing AEO performance audit carried out by the ECA.

IMCO DEBATES FUTURE CUSTOMS REFORM

On 8 September, the European Parliament’s IMCO Committee held an exchange of views on the state of play of the implementation of the UCC and the future of the Customs Union.

EU DAG MEETS TO DISCUSS EU-UK TCA IMPLEMENTATION

On 5 September, CLECAT attended the fourth meeting of the EU Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) under the EU-UK TCA.

START OF NEGOTIATIONS ON FIT FOR 55 PACKAGE FILES

Representatives of the European Parliament and the Council of the EU met this week to kick-start the negotiations of some transport-related files of the Fit for 55 Package, including the revision of CO2 standards for cars and vans, ReFuelEU Aviation and the revision of EU Emissions Trading System as regards aviation and CORSIA.

OCEAN CARRIERS ANNOUNCE NEW BLANK SAILINGS

The Loadstar reported last week that ocean carriers will withdrew around 8.8% of capacity on the Asia-Europe route over the next 12 weeks. CMA CGM announced it will blank five sailings in the period surrounding China’s Golden Week, removing close to 100,000 TEU from the Asia to Europe trades. In addition, the 2M Alliance will pull 10% of its capacity on the trade between now and the Chinese holiday, blanking seven sailings, while THE Alliance pulls 18%, blanking 10.

AIR CARGO NEAR PRE-COVID LEVELS

On 7 September, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for July 2022 global air cargo markets showing that demand continued to track at near pre-pandemic levels in July, but below July 2021 performance. Global demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTKs), fell 9.7% compared to July 2021. Demand stood at -3.5% compared to July 2019. Capacity was 3.6% above July 2021, but still 7.8% below July 2019 levels.

EU AND UKRAINE SET CLOSER CUSTOMS AND TAX COOPERATION

On 5 September, the Commission signed two agreements between the EU and Ukraine which pave the way for Ukraine’s participation in the EU’s Customs and Fiscalis programmes.

RAIL FREIGHT INDUSTRY CALLS FOR AFFORDABLE ENERGY

In response to the ongoing crisis in European energy markets, which has a significant impact on all sectors, the European railway sector has called on the European Commission and Member States to develop a strategy to protect the European Union’s modal shift objectives and to ensure uninterrupted affordable energy supply for rail transportation.

INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS IN SLOVENIA

Slovenian Railways (SZ) has scheduled various temporary closures of rail sections and stations for maintenance works throughout the month of September. As a result, eight lines will be under construction during this period. Moreover, two longer-term projects that started in August are being carried out.

ITF ISSUES RECOMMENDATIONS TO ACCELERATE DECARBONISATION OF ROAD FREIGHT TRANSPORT

On 5 September, the International Transport Forum published a report investigating the feasibility of decarbonising heavy-duty trucks in Europe with zero-emission powertrain technologies and how cost uncertainty of these vehicles can be minimised. The report gives six recommendations to accelerate the transition to zero-emission trucks, including the provision of necessary infrastructure.

CLECAT Meetings

CLECAT Customs and Indirect Taxation Institute
16 September 2022, Online

CLECAT Air Freight Institute
4 October 2022, Online

CLECAT Supply Chain Security Institute
4 October 2022, Online

CLECAT Air Freight Institute
22 November 2022, Brussels (hybrid-meeting)

CLECAT Supply Chain Security Institute
22 November 2022, Brussels (hybrid-meeting)

CLECAT General Assembly
23 November, Brussels

CLECAT / ESC Annual event
23 November, Brussels

EU Meetings

European Parliament

European Parliament Plenary
12-15 September 2022, Strasbourg

European Parliament Environment Committee
26 September 2022, Brussels

European Parliament Transport Committee
26 September 2022, Brussels

Council of the EU

Informal Meeting of Transport Ministers
20-21 October, Prague

Environment Council
24 October, Luxembourg