News

ONE YEAR AFTER THE DRAGHI REPORT EVENT

CLECAT participated this week in the event organised by the European Commission marking the first anniversary of the Draghi Report on European competitiveness. The high-level conference on 16 September, opened by President Ursula von der Leyen and Mario Draghi, reviewed progress since the report’s publication and discussed the road ahead for Europe’s competitiveness and economic security.

4TH LOGISTICS FOR EUROPE EVENT: SECURING GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAINS: FROM RISK AWARENESS TO RESILIENCE

CLECAT and the European Shippers’ Council (ESC) are pleased to announce the 4th edition of the Logistics for Europe conference, which will take place on 13 November 2025 at the Stanhope Hotel in Brussels.

EC LAUNCHES CLEAN TRANSPORT CORRIDOR INITIATIVE

On 16 September, transport ministers from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, and Sweden, together with the Commissioner for Transport Apostolos Tzitzikostas, signed a declaration on the Clean Transport Corridor Initiative.

EC STUDY IDENTIFIES KEY MEASURES TO SUPPORT ROAD FREIGHT DECARBONISATION

A recent study commissioned by DG CLIMA outlines a series of measures aimed at promoting the decarbonisation in the sectors affected by the EU Emissions Trading System 2 (ETS2), including the road freight sector. CLECAT participated in stakeholder workshops during the study, providing input on the practicality and effectiveness of the proposed measures for the freight and logistics sector.

FREIGHT RATE WAR INTENSIFIES ON ASIA-EUROPE ROUTES

The Loadstar recently reported on a new analysis from Alphaliner revealing that a freight rate war is unfolding on Asia-Europe trade lanes, even as vessel capacity remains constrained. According to the consultancy, the 31 Asia-Europe services covering both Asia-North Europe and Asia-Mediterranean routes would require 461 vessels to maintain uninterrupted weekly schedules. However, only 425 vessels are currently deployed, leaving a shortfall equivalent to around 500,000 TEU of missing capacity.

EU STEPS UP RESPONSE TO GNSS SPOOFING AND JAMMING

On 9 September 2025 in Strasbourg, Commissioner Andrius Kubilius addressed the European Parliament on the growing risks of interference with Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), warning of the urgent need to strengthen resilience against spoofing and jamming.

BRENNER BASE TUNNEL MARKS FIRST CROSS-BORDER BREAKTHROUGH

On 18 September, the Brenner Base Tunnel project celebrated a major milestone with the first cross-border breakthrough of its exploratory tunnel. The event in Brenner was marked by Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, together with Italian Infrastructure and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini and Austrian Climate Action and Mobility Minister Peter Hanke.

SWEDEN BOOSTS RAIL FREIGHT SUPPORT THROUGH TAC COMPENSATION

The Swedish Government has proposed a significant increase in support for rail freight as part of its autumn budget. The so-called special environmental compensation will rise by SEK 330 million (approximately €30 million), reaching a total of SEK 885 million (around €80 million) annually. The measure is intended to strengthen the competitiveness of rail freight.

AIR CARGO INDUSTRY PREPARES FOR ONE RECORD STANDARD

The air cargo industry is approaching a decisive deadline, with IATA’s One Record becoming the preferred standard for data exchange from 1 January 2026. With less than four months remaining, the sector must transition from long-standing discussions on digitalisation to full-scale implementation.

COMMISSION PROPOSES THE ADOPTION OF MERCOSUR AND MEXICO TRADE AGREEMENTS

The European Commission has formally proposed the signature and conclusion of two landmark trade deals: the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA) and the EU-Mexico Modernised Global Agreement (MGA). These agreements are central to the EU’s strategy to diversify trade relations, strengthen supply chains and secure reliable access to critical raw materials.

CLECAT Meetings and participation in events

Maritime Week
22-26 September, Porto

Customs Ecosystem Conference
6-7 October, Vilnius

European Logistics Platform event on Military Mobility
14 October, Brussels

Green Port Conference
14-15 October, Valletta

CLECAT Board
17 October, Online

eFTI4ALL / eFTI4EU Annual Conference
21 October, Berlin and online

CLECAT Maritime Logistics Institute meeting
12 November, Antwerp

CLECAT Board and General Assembly
13 November, Brussels

Logistics for Europe Forum
13 November, Brussels

CLECAT Road and Sustainable Logistics Institute
14 November, Brussels and online

CLECAT Customs and Indirect Taxation Institute
14 November, Brussels and online

EU Meetings

European Parliament

European Parliament Environment Committee
22-23 September, Brussels

European Parliament Transport Committee
23-24 September, Brussels

European Parliament Plenary
6-9 October, Strasbourg

Council of the EU

Transport Council
4 December, Brussels

Environment Council
16 December, Brussels