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The CLECAT Road Logistics Institute met this week online to exchange views on developments affecting road transport and logistics at national and EU level. Members also held an exchange of views with Petra Zaletel, Transport Counsellor at the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Slovenia to the EU, who was invited by CLECAT to give members an overview of the transport priorities of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

This was the opportunity to highlight the ambition of Slovenia with regard to the upcoming Fit for 55 Package, and more specifically on the revision of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive (AFID). Members asked questions regarding the next steps for the two provisions of the Mobility Package I (return of the vehicle and restriction on the road leg of combined transport operations) which would have a negative environmental impact, as well as the tightened restrictions for road freight along the Brenner Pass.

Members received a presentation of the main elements of the provisional agreement reached in June by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on the revision of the Eurovignette Directive, providing for strong incentives for the decarbonisation of the road transport sector. The deal was welcomed by CLECAT, which now calls on policymakers to formally adopt the agreement in order to swiftly implement the new provisions.

Members also discussed the need for the logistics sector to have more guidance from the European Commission to prepare for the new rules on access to road haulage market and posting of drivers which become effective in February 2022. CLECAT has urged the European Commission to respond as soon as possible to questions that have been raised with regards to the implementation of the new rules

Members received a presentation on what can be expected from the upcoming Fit for 55 package which will be published on Wednesday (14 July) aimed at reaching the EU’s 2030 goal of cutting emissions by 55%.

Members received an update on the expected revision of the Combined Transport Directive and CLECAT’s suggestion on the new proposal which is expected after summer 2022. The new proposal should address the shortcomings of the current Directive to secure an uptake of combined transport operations in the EU, while giving enough incentives and flexibility to transport operators.