News

CLECAT PUBLISHED POSITION PAPER ON SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT INVESTMENT PLAN (STIP)

On 4 September, CLECAT released its position paper on the forthcoming Commission’s Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP). Expected by the end of the year, the STIP aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of freight transport by outlining actions to boost public and private investments into renewable and low-carbon fuels, making better use of existing financial instruments while identifying needs for additional measures.

EP PRESENTS DRAFT REPORT ON MILITARY MOBILITY

Reflecting on the joint meeting of the European Parliament’s Transport (TRAN) and Security and Defence (SEDE) Committees, which took place on 1 September, CLECAT welcomes the direction and ambition of the draft report prepared by MEP Auštrevičius and MEP Zīle on Military Mobility.

EMPL COMMITTEE DEBATES SUBCONTRACTING PRACTICES

This week, the European Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) Committee held an exchange of views on MEP Johan Danielsson’s draft resolution, which calls for new EU-wide measures to regulate subcontracting chains and labour intermediaries including a cap of two levels below the main contractor and joint liability across the chain. Against this backdrop, CLECAT has submitted detailed comments to MEPs, warning that rigid regulations could disrupt legitimate logistics operations and harm SMEs.

ICS2 IN FORCE FOR RAIL AND ROAD OPERATORS BUT FRAGMENTED ROLLOUT

From 1 September 2025, new EU customs rules took effect for goods entering the EU by road and rail. Carriers moving goods through certain Member States will now have to submit Entry Summary Declarations (ENS) through the Import Control System 2 (ICS2) before the goods arrive. This applies regardless of where the company is registered.

GRI’S LOSE GROUND AMID ASIA - EUROPE OVERSUPPLY

Carriers’ latest attempts to push through General Rate Increases (GRIs) and Peak Season Surcharges (PSS) on the Asia–Europe trade lane appear to be losing momentum, with little sign of lasting impact. Market analysts suggest that only significant reductions in capacity are likely to prevent further rate erosion in September.

RAIL FREIGHT UNDER PRESSURE IN BELGIUM AND NETHERLANDS

Nieuwsblad Transport reported this week that Lineas, the Belgian rail freight operator and former NMBS cargo arm, continues to face serious financial challenges despite repeated state-backed rescue operations.

AIRLINE ON-TIME PERFORMANCE DECLINES

New figures from Cargo IQ point to a decline in the on-time performance of major airlines, with average reliability dropping to 77% in July. This represents a decrease from 80% in June and 81% in May, signalling a downward trend that is causing concern within the air cargo sector.

AIR CARGO DEMAND SHOWS GROWTH IN JULY

On 29 August, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) published its latest market data, reporting continued growth in global air cargo demand for July 2025.

COMMISSION DOUBLES CUSTOMS BUDGET IN MFF

On 3 September, the European Commission adopted a second package of sectoral proposals, completing the framework for the next long term EU budget for 2028–2034. With these proposals the Commission completes the Multiannual Financial Framework, MFF.

CLECAT Meetings and participation in events

CLECAT Customs and Indirect Taxation Institute
17 September, Online

Maritime Week
22-26 September, Porto

Customs Ecosystem Conference
6-7 October, Vilnius

Green Port Conference
17 October, Valletta

CLECAT Board
17 October, Online

CLECAT Maritime Logistics Institute meeting
12 November, Antwerp

CLECAT Board and General Assembly
13 November, Brussels

Logistics for Europe
13 November, Brussels

CLECAT Customs and Indirect Taxation Institute
14 November, Online

EU Meetings

European Parliament

European Parliament Transport Committee
8 September, Strasbourg

European Parliament Environment Committee
22-23 September, Brussels

European Parliament Plenary
8-11 September, Strasbourg

Council of the EU

Transport Council
4 December, Brussels

Environment Council
16 December, Brussels