Newsletters

LOGISTICS FOR EUROPE FORUM

CLECAT, ESC and ELA are pleased to invite you to the Logistics for Europe event taking place on the 23rd of November 2022 at the Residence Palace in Brussels. The 2022 Logistics for Europe event brings industry representatives from freight forwarding, shippers and the logistics sector, as well as European law makers, together in a constructive dialogue on the challenges European industry is being faced with.

The event will address the growing pressure on trade to keep cargo moving in a sustainable and efficient way at times of the energy crisis. In addition, the event will discuss the changes that have occurred in the container shipping market in recent years, and how changes to the competition rules can restore trust and confidence in the container shipping industry, which is vital to the European business and consumers.

Confirmed speakers include Steven Pope, Group Head Trade Facilitation (Go Trade) at Deutsche Post DHL Group, Koen De Leus, Chief Economist, BNP Paribas Fortis, Danielle Tap, Director of Partner Programs, Digital Container Shipping Association, DCSA, Steven Gudde, Director Impact and Labour market, Olympia, Alessandro Pitto, Managing Director at Casasco & Nardi, Szymon Oscislowski, Deputy Head of Unit, DG MOVE, Olaf Merk, ITF, Henrik Morch, Director of Services, DG COMP and others.

EP ADOPTS AMENDMENTS ON AFIR

On 19 October, the European Parliament adopted in plenary session its position on the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure regulation (AFIR) proposal. MEPs agreed to set more ambitious deployment targets for recharging/refuelling road infrastructure and onshore power supply in maritime ports.

COMMISSION WORK PROGRAMME 2023 PUBLISHED

On 18 October, the European Commission adopted its 2023 Commission work programme setting out targeted actions to complete delivery on the ambitions set by the Commission at the start of the mandate, including achieving climate neutrality by 2050, shaping the digital future, and making Europe stronger in the world.

EP ADOPTS AMENDMENTS ON FUEL EU MARITIME

On 19 October, the European Parliament adopted in plenary session its position on the FuelEU Maritime proposal. MEPs agreed to set stricter standard for GHG emission reduction form ships and obligation to connect to onshore power supply.

CLECAT ISSUES POSITION ON COUNTEMISSIONS EU

CLECAT has published a position paper in response to the CountEmissions EU initiative, in conjunction with its response to the public consultation on this initiative. CountEmissions EU aims to establish a common European framework for calculating GHG emissions of transport operations in the freight and passenger transport sector.

EU-ASEAN AIR TRANSPORT AGREEMENT CONCLUDED

On 17 October, the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) signed a comprehensive air transport agreement that will open up more air transport opportunities and enhance direct connectivity between the two regions, whilst upgrading rules and standards for concerned flights. The agreement, which applies immediately, sets global benchmarks that commit all 37 countries in the two regions to fair competition and to improving social and environmental conditions. The signing means new opportunities for consumers, airlines and airports both in Europe and in ASEAN countries.

PLENARY MEETING OF THE TRADE CONTACT GROUP FOR CUSTOMS

On 20 October, CLECAT attended the 61st plenary meeting of the Trade Contact Group (TCG), which provides a platform for consultation between DG TAXUD and representatives from the private sector on developments in customs and trade. The meeting was attended by DG TAXUD’s Director General Gerassimos Thomas, who held an exchange of views with the trade community on the ongoing reform of the Customs Union.

BREXIT RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN EU-UK TRADE

On 20 October, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) published its report ‘How has Brexit changed EU-UK trade flows?’, which estimates how Brexit has affected goods trade between the EU and the UK. Using product-level trade flows between the EU and all other countries in the world as a comparison group, the report finds that Brexit has caused UK-EU trade flows to fall by 16%, while EU-UK trade has dropped 20%.

EC FEASIBILITY STUDY TO BETTER CONNECT UKRAINIAN & MOLDOVAN RAILWAY NETWORKS WITH EU

On 21 October, the European Commission together with the European Investment Bank (EIB) launched a feasibility study to assess how to better connect the Ukrainian and Moldovan railway networks with the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). This study should function as a key step in preparing for better EU–Ukraine and Moldova connectivity after the war.

€24.3 MILLION AUSTRIAN MEASURE TO SUPPORT RAIL FREIGHT OPERATORS AFFECTED BY THE COVID-19

On 19 October, the European Commission approved a €24.3 million Austrian scheme to support the rail freight sector in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. This measure prolongs an existing aid scheme for the provision of rail freight services that was initially approved by the Commission in July 2012 and subsequently prolonged and amended several times, most recently in May 2022.

COUNCIL AGREES TO STRENGTHEN THE SECURITY OF ICT SUPPLY CHAINS

In response to cyber-attacks and a series of threats to information and communication technologies (ICT) supply chains, Member States on 17 October approved Council conclusions contributing to enhanced security of the EU’s ICT assets. The call for action was driven by the current geopolitical circumstances, the damaging nature of supply chain attacks and the ever-increasing dependence of society on digital technologies. The call aims at strengthening ICT supply chain security, and is also a first step to address threats of unwanted strategic dependencies in ICT supply chains.

MEPS CALL FOR ENHANCED CYBERSECURITY AND PROTECTION OF EU INFRASTRUCTURE

In a plenary debate with Commission Vice-President Schinas which took place on 18 October, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) called for more EU ambition in cybersecurity and in protecting critical infrastructure.

CLECAT Meetings

CLECAT Air Freight Institute
22 November 2022, Brussels (hybrid-meeting)

CLECAT Supply Chain Security Institute
22 November 2022, Brussels (hybrid-meeting)

CLECAT Customs and Indirect Taxation Institute
22 November 2022, Brussels (hybrid-meeting)

CLECAT General Assembly
23 November, Brussels

Logistics for Europe Forum (CLECAT / ESC / ELA event)
23 November, Brussels

CLECAT Maritime Logistics Institute
24 November, Brussels (hybrid-meeting)

EU Meetings

European Parliament

European Parliament Plenary
9-10 November 2022, Strasbourg

European Parliament Environment Committee
24-25 October 2022, Brussels

European Parliament Transport Committee
26-27 October 2022, Brussels

Council of the EU

Environment Council
24 October, Luxembourg

Transport Council
5 December, Brussels