News

CLECAT WELCOMES AGREEMENT ON AFIR

On 28 March, the European Parliament and the Swedish Presidency of the Council struck a deal on the provisional deal on the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR). The agreement aims to expand the deployment of recharging or alternative refuelling stations for cars, trucks and ships, setting minimum mandatory national targets for the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure and requires EU countries to present their plans on how to achieve them.

CLECAT DEBATES CARBON FOOTPRINTING AT SITL IN PARIS

CLECAT was present this week at the SITL Transport and Logistics Innovation Week in Paris, a major event that brings together professionals from the transport and logistics industry.

PROVISIONAL DEAL ON RENEWABLE ENERGY DIRECTIVE (RED)

On the 30 March, the European Parliament and the Swedish Presidency of the Council reached a provisional deal on the Renewable energy Directive (RED). The negotiators agreed to increase the share of renewable energy in the EU's total energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030, with an additional 2.5% indicative top-up that could allow the target to reach 45%.

US CONGRESSMEN PROPOSE REMOVING ANTITRUST EXEMPTION FOR SHIPPING

Last week, U.S. Representative Jim Costa (Democrat, California) reintroduced the bipartisan Ocean Shipping Antitrust Enforcement Act, which would repeal the exemption for foreign ocean carriers from all federal antitrust laws and address unfair practices from shipping lines, harming American businesses, producers, and consumers.

ECA REPORT: EU STILL FAR FROM GETTING FREIGHT OFF THE ROAD

Aspirations to double Europe’s intermodal market share by 2050 received a major blow by the European Court of Auditors (ECA), which described the plan as ‘unrealistic’ in a report published on 27 March. The court pointed to ‘serious deficiencies’ surrounding funding, harmonisation of EU regulations, lack of visibility on existing and required rail infrastructure and the dominance of road freight.

TRAN CHAIR CALLS FOR INCREASING MODAL SHIFT TO RAIL

On the 29 March, MEP Karima Delli, chairwoman of the Transport and Tourism committee (TRAN) of the European Parliament, presented a joint declaration also signed by ERA, CER and ERFA to call policymakers to implement policies that will support the transport of goods by train. The declaration highlighted the urgent need to address the climate emergency and emphasized the critical role that rail freight can play in achieving this goal.

EU CUSTOMS: FUTURE OF CUSTOMS PROPOSALS

One year ago today, the Wise Person’s Group on the Future of Customs published its recommendations on the next steps for the EU Customs Union.

CLECAT MEETS DG TAXUD ON CBAM

Earlier this week CLECAT met with a delegation from DG TAXUD to discuss a wide range of questions related to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

CNR ISSUES STUDY ON ROAD TAXES AND CHARGES IN EUROPE

On 29 March, the Comité National Routier (CNR) – a French observatory on European road transport – published a report on a European overview of levies (road taxes and charges) specifically applied to heavy goods vehicles: vignettes and tolls, axle tax and excise duties applicable to diesel.

CLECAT Meetings

Smart Freight Week 2023
18-20 April, Amsterdam

CLECAT Customs & Indirect Taxation Institute
27 April, Online

ELP Event: Energy challenges for freight transport in Europe
3 May, Brussels

CLECAT session: High-Capacity Transport in support of sustainable road freight
9 May, Munich

CLECAT / CEDR meeting
13 May, Vienna

CLECAT Board meeting
15 May, Online

CLECAT General Assembly
6 June, Online

CLECAT Customs & Indirect Taxation Institute
15-16 June, Helsinki

CLECAT Air Freight Logistics Institute
28 June, Online

CLECAT Supply Chain Security Institute
28 June, Online

EU Meetings

European Parliament

European Parliament Plenary
17-20 April, Strasbourg

European Parliament Environment Committee
13 April, Brussels

European Parliament Transport Committee
13 April, Brussels

Council of the EU

Transport Council
1 June, Brussels

Informal meeting of environment ministers
18-19 April, Stockholm

Environment Council
20 June, Brussels