Newsletters

On 10 May, the Commission launched the new homepage of the Access2Marekts portal. On the new homepage, information is now organised in a clearer and more intuitive manner. New features have also been added, including a trade assistant for services and investment.

The European Commission has published a Recommendation to step up cooperation between the EU and Norway in the fight against VAT fraud and recovery of claims.

On 11 May, MEPs of the ENVI Committee adopted its report on the proposed rules to revise the Regulation on CO2 standards for new light-duty vehicles, by 46 votes in favour, 40 against and two abstentions. MEPs largely backed the Commission proposal on the emission reduction pathway for new cars and vans to reach zero-emission road mobility by 2035 but failed to raise the intermediary targets for 2027 and 2030.

Following the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has developed a safety risk portfolio to identify safety issues affecting commercial aviation which stem from or are associated with this conflict. EASA developed the portfolio in close cooperation with Member State regulators and industry partners to capture new or emerging safety issues.

On 3 May, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for global air cargo markets in March 2022, showing a drop in demand. According to the analysis, the effects of the Omicron variant in Asia, the war in Ukraine, and a challenging operating backdrop contributed to the decline.

The Loadstar reported on 10 May that ocean carrier alliances are preparing to blank more than a third of their sailings from Asia over the coming weeks in response to a reduction in export freight, according to the latest report from Project44. The blanking strategies by the alliances to mitigate the impact of the COVID lockdowns in China will further extend cargo lead times, particularly to North Europe.

On 5 May, the European Commission’s Directorate General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) published a report that compares the performance of different intermodal transhipment technologies in combination with various loading units. The study sheds light on which combinations are most used, how cost- and time efficient and available they are and what their future potential is. The study also analyses the available capacity and limitations of terminals on the TEN-T network.

On 12 May, the European Commission presented a set of actions to help Ukraine export its agricultural produce. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its blockade of Ukrainian ports, Ukrainian grain and other agricultural goods can no longer reach their destinations. In its communication, the Commission sets out an action plan to establish ‘Solidarity Lanes' to ensure Ukraine can export grain, but also import the goods it needs, from humanitarian aid to animal feed and fertilisers.

On 5 May, the European Parliament adopted with a large majority a resolution on the impact of Russian’s illegal war against Ukraine on the EU transport and tourism sectors. MEPs recognise transport as a strategic tool for the EU to provide solidarity and support to Ukraine and its people.

On 10 May, CLECAT attended the third meeting of the EU Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) under the EU-UK Trade and Facilitation Agreement (TCA), which advises the EU Commission on the TCA implementation. The EU DAG discussed the progress made in implementing the TCA and reflected on possible future cooperation with the Commission, the TCA Civil Society Forum and the EU DAG counterpart in the UK.