Newsletters

REFUEL EU AVIATION: A GAME-CHANGING EU SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL PLAN?

At the second webinar organised by the European Logistics Platform (ELP) this year, around 50 EU policymakers and industry representatives met to discuss with experts the challenges, the potential and use-cases of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). With the upcoming Refuel EU Aviation initiative expected to be published mid-July as part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package, policy makers and industry representatives debated how the EU can create incentives and set the right regulatory framework to increase the uptake of SAF that will help to reduce aviation’s footprint.

THE SLOVENIAN PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL KICKS OFF

The Slovenian Presidency has officially presented its programme for the coming six months of its term. As noted last week, the transport priorities will focus on the recovery of the sector, which should coincide with a transition towards sustainable and innovative mobility.

SHIPPING EXEMPTED FROM GLOBAL MINIMUM TAX

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) announced yesterday that 130 countries have joined the two-pillar plan to reform international taxation rules. The statement outlines plans for new rules on where companies are taxed at a tax rate of at least 15%. The new minimum tax rate would apply to companies with turnover above a 750-million-euro ($889 million) threshold, with only the shipping industry exempted.

TRAN COMMITTEE ADOPTS DRAFT RESOLUTION ON IWT

The European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee adopted on 28 June a draft resolution on Future-proof inland waterway transport (IWT), by 44 votes in favour and 3 abstentions. MEPs call for a modal shift arguing that it would help to reduce road congestion and emissions, enhance safety and lead to a more sustainable transport system.

ICAO COUNCIL SUPPORTS AVIATION RECOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT

Last week, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) reviewed the progress of the aviation sector’s recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts to enhance the safety, security and sustainability of flights, and issues related to ICAO’s governance.

EU-US COMMITMENT ON SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE AVIATION

On 30 June, the European Commission’s DG MOVE and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) jointly organised a webinar on Safe and Sustainable Aviation, during which both parties confirmed their commitment to increase aviation safety and building a more sustainable industry.

COUNCIL GREENLIGHTS FOUR AVIATION AGREEMENTS

On 28 June, the Council of the EU gave the go-ahead for the signing of three neighbourhood aviation agreements – with Ukraine, Armenia and Tunisia ­– as well as an air transport agreement with Qatar. These agreements will open up the air transport market, offering new opportunities for both consumers and operators. Through more efficient connectivity, they shall promote trade, tourism, investment and economic and social development.

CLECAT DISCUSSES PRIORITIES IN DIGITALISATION

On 30 June, CLECAT held a meeting of its Digitalisation Working Group to discuss progress on Regulation 2020/1056 on electronic freight transport information (eFTI Regulation), the work of the DTLF Subgroup 1, as well as the CLECAT priorities in the area of digitalisation.

SOLUTIONS FOR IRISH PROTOCOL IMPLEMENTATION

On 30 June, the European Commission put forward a package of measures to address some of the most pressing issues related to the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.

NEW E-COMMERCE RULES ON 1 JULY

On 1 July, the new VAT e-commerce package entered into force. The VAT rules on cross-border business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce changed, alongside the customs formalities and processes for importation and exportation of low value consignments.

EU AGRI-FOOD TRADE RECOVERS

Earlier this week, the European Commission reported that while the cumulative quarterly agri-food trade value remains lower than in 2020 given the lower performance recorded in the first two months of the year, the monthly trade value of March 2021 was the highest observed in the last two years.

EU EXTENDS EXPORT CONTROLS ON COVID-19 VACCINES

On 30 June, the EU extended until 30 September 2021 the COVID-19 vaccines export transparency and authorisation mechanism in its current form. The purpose of the mechanism is to secure deliveries of vaccines to Europeans in line with companies’ contractual obligations.

CLECAT Meetings

 CLECAT Road Logistics Institute
7 July 2021, Online

 CLECAT Customs and Indirect Taxation Institute
28 July 2021, Online

 CLECAT Air Logistics Institute
14 September 2021, Online

CLECAT Board Meeting
7 September 2021, Online

 CLECAT Security Institute
14 September 2021, Online

EU Meetings

Council of the European Union

Informal Transport Council
22-23 September 2021, Brussels

European Parliament

 European Parliament Transport Committee
12-13 July 2021, Brussels

 European Parliament Plenary
5-8 July 2021, Strasbourg