16 February 2024
EC PUBLISHES 2024 SINGLE MARKET AND COMPETITIVENESS REPORT
On 14 February, the European Commission published the Annual Single Market and Competitiveness Report (ASMCR). The report details the competitive strengths and challenges of Europe's Single Market, tracking yearly developments according to the nine competitiveness drivers identified in the EU's 2023 Long-term competitiveness Communication.
16 February 2024
POLISH FARMERS TO BLOCK AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS FROM UKRAINE
Starting 20 February, Polish farmers intend to block all border crossings between Poland and Ukraine, seaports and rail hubs with the aim to stop Ukrainian freight. After a temporary pause in the protest following a compensation deal reached with the Polish government in January, farmers returned to their blockades on 9 February.
16 February 2024
NEXT PHASE OF EMCS LAUNCHED TO ALLOW INTEROPERABILITY WITH AES
The EU Excise Movement and Control System (EMCS), monitoring excise goods like tobacco, alcohol, and energy products, has launched phase 4.1 This phase introduces interoperability with the EU Automated Export System (AES), enhancing efficiency in export operations.
16 February 2024
NAVIGATING THE BALTIC BORDER: THE CHALLENGE OF ENFORCING EU SANCTIONS
Politico published an interesting report on how the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are facing significant challenges in policing their combined 1,600-kilometer border with Russia and Belarus. The article claims that this frontier has become a focal point for attempts to circumvent sanctions on dual-use goods and luxury items, straining the resources of customs officials and exposing gaps in enforcement capabilities.
16 February 2024
NEW PROOF OF UNION STATUS SYSTEM LAUNCHED 1 MARCH
Starting from 1 March 2024, the European Union will introduce the new Proof of Union Status (PoUS) system, which will transform how economic operators can apply for T2L and T2LF union status certificates. This system is a recent launch within the UCC Work Program, which outlines projects and electronic systems aimed at achieving a harmonized exchange of European customs information.
16 February 2024
TRAN COMMITTEE ADOPTS REPORT ON WEIGHTS & DIMENSIONS
On 14 February, the EP’s TRAN Committee adopted its report on the revision of the Weights & Dimensions Directive. MEPs sets incentives for the uptake of zero-emission vehicles while setting additional obstacles to the use of EMS vehicles.
16 February 2024
CLECAT PUBLISHES POSITION ON REVISED COMBINED TRANSPORT DIRECTIVE
On 13 February, CLECAT published its position paper on the Commission’s proposal for amendments to the Combined Transport Directive 92/106/EEC. CLECAT and its members welcomed the proposal amending Directive 92/106/EEC on the establishment of common rules for certain types of combined transport of goods between Member States as the current rules are outdated, ambiguous and create barriers to the effective operation of combined transport.
16 February 2024
CLECAT SUSTAINABLE LOGISTICS INSTITUTE MEETS
Members of the CLECAT Sustainable Logistics Institute met yesterday to exchange views on the latest developments regarding sustainability policies affecting transport and logistics at national and EU level. Members discussed the legislative developments on the CountEmissions EU proposal, the development of corporate sustainability reporting standards and the CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles.
16 February 2024
CLECAT MARITIME LOGISTICS INSTITUTE MEETS
Members of the CLECAT Maritime Logistics Institute met this week to discuss the latest developments regarding maritime freight transport, notably the impacts of the Red Sea crisis, the implementation of ICS2 Release 3 for maritime transport and the European Ports Alliance.
09 February 2024
LITHUANIA AND POLAND EXPLORE POTENTIAL REGULAR FREIGHT TRAIN ROUTE TO UKRAINE
On 5 February, the transport ministers of Lithuania and Poland convened in Warsaw to explore the potential establishment of a regular freight train route connecting the two countries with Ukraine.