Newsletters

On 17 May, the EP’s Transport (TRAN) Committee held a debate on the amendments (here and here) to Rapporteur Jorgen Warborn’s (EPP, Sweden) draft report on the FuelEU Maritime proposal. The Rapporteur welcomed the agreement among most MEPs on the need for technological neutrality, saying that this was the best way to ensure that the energy transition was designed in a cost-effective way.

Maritime consultant Drewry published on 17 May a briefing on the potential consequences of the lockdown in the Shanghai region to global maritime supply chains. Drewry estimates that the lockdown has further stressed the global maritime supply chain which is currently facing reduced capacity due to pervasive congestion. However, the reduction in volumes could speed up the normalisation of liner network performance and port productivity, with port congestion easing in the US and Europe.

On 17 May, the EP’s ENVI Committee adopted their report on the revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). MEPs supported the inclusion of emissions from maritime transport into the main ETS and the creation of a separate ETS for road transport emissions.

On 19 May, the Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on a single window (SW) for customs which sets the appropriate conditions for digital collaboration between customs and partner competent authorities. The provisional agreement is subject to approval by the Council and the European Parliament before going through the formal adoption procedure.

On 17 May, the EP ENVI Committee adopted their report on the proposed regulation establishing a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The ENVI Committee calls for a broader scope and faster implementation of the CBAM to raise global climate ambition. The report is scheduled for a vote at the plenary session 6-9 June after which Parliament will be ready to start negotiations with the Council.

On 19 May, CLECAT participated in a meeting organised by DG MOVE to discuss the actions related to transport outlined in the Communication to facilitate Ukraine's agricultural export and bilateral trade with the EU. This Communication identifies the bottlenecks and puts forward an action plan on what is needed to unlock the potential and scale up the transport of the export of agricultural products of Ukraine.

On 6 July, CLECAT and DG TAXUD are organising a workshop to support freight forwarders to prepare for the new EU customs advance cargo information system. The workshop will be held in Brussels, but participants will also be provided with an opportunity to join online.

At a webinar organised by the European Logistics Platform (ELP) on 26 April more than 75 EU policymakers and industry representatives met to discuss with experts the challenges of the maritime logistics supply chain. Over the past years, global supply chains have been under stress due to many disruptions. COVID-19 and measures related to the pandemic, such as lockdowns and border closures, have disrupted value chains and demonstrated the lack of resilience in global maritime supply chains. How can European economy sustain this situation and what can policy makers do to support business?

On 4 May, the European Parliament’s plenary approved the deal reached between Parliament and Council negotiators in February on a renewed mandate for Europol, granting the EU police agency new powers.