News

CLECAT TO JOIN 2025 ITF SUMMIT ON TRANSPORT RESILIENCE

CLECAT will participate in the 2025 Annual Summit of the International Transport Forum (ITF), taking place from 21 to 23 May in Leipzig, Germany, under the Chilean Presidency of the ITF.

MEPS DISCUSS EU MILITARY MOBILITY PLANS

On 14 May, the European Parliament's Committees on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) and Security and Defence (SEDE) organised a joint hearing on military mobility. Military and policy experts were invited to share their views on the current state and future prospects of military mobility in the EU.

EU IMPOSES NEW SANCTIONS ON RUSSIAN SHADOW FLEET

The European Union has agreed on the 17th sanctions package against Russia, which will be formally adopted by the Council of the EU next week. These sanctions aim to limit Russia's war economy by targeting its shadow fleet. The new measures were proposed by the Commission in April and come as Russia continues to block a 30-day ceasefire that Ukraine has already agreed to.

ESPO CONFERENCE IN THESSALONIKI ON FUTURE OF EUROPEAN PORTS

CLECAT joined last week as a guest to the 21st annual ESPO Conference, held in Thessaloniki on 8–9 May, where European port authorities, industry leaders, and policymakers gathered to discuss the evolving role of ports in a time of geopolitical upheaval and accelerating sustainability demands.

SUEZ CANAL AUTHORITY OFFERS DISCOUNTS TO ATTRACT SHIPS

The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has introduced a new initiative to bring container ships back to the Suez Canal. Responding to requests from shipowners and operators, and due to recent improvements in the security situation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, the SCA is offering a 15% discount on tolls for large container ships. This discount applies to container ships of 130,000 net tonnage or more, whether they are carrying cargo or not.

EUROPEAN ROAD FREIGHT RATES DECLINE IN Q1 2025

The latest Upply x Ti x IRU European road freight rates index, which was presented in a webinar this week, reveals a notable decline in both contract and spot rates for Q1 2025. Contract rates fell by 2.3 points quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q), while spot rates dropped more sharply by 3.8 points q-o-q.

PARLIAMENT OPPOSES WITHDRAWAL OF EU AIRPORT SLOTS PROPOSAL

The European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) has expressed its opposition to the European Commission’s intention to withdraw its long-standing proposal to reform the slot allocation system at EU airports.

EU AGREES ON NEW VAT APPROACH FOR E-COMMERCE IMPORTS

EU finance ministers have reached a political agreement on a new VAT framework for e-commerce imports, aimed at enhancing the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS). The revised approach seeks to simplify VAT declaration and payment, ease administrative burdens for importers, and strengthen enforcement against VAT fraud.

CLECAT Meetings and participation in events

International Transport Forum
21-23 May, Leipzing

CLECAT Air Freight Logistics Institute meeting
26 May, Online

CLECAT Supply Chain Security Institute meeting
28 May, Online

CLECAT Board
17 June, Gdansk

CLECAT General Assembly
17 June, Gdansk

CLECAT Customs and Indirect Taxation Institute meeting
17 June, Gdansk

EU Meetings

European Parliament

European Parliament Transport Committee
2-3 June, Brussels

European Parliament Environment Committee
4-5 June, Brussels

European Parliament Plenary
21-22 May, Brussels

Council of the EU

Transport Council
5 June, Luxembourg

Environment Council
17 June, Luxembourg