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Maritime logistics supply chains are becoming more and more unreliable due to blank sailings. This is harmful to European logistics and shippers, because it reduces supply chain efficiency and parameters such as capacity, sailing frequency, transit times, ports of call and associated service quality.

To alleviate the unprecedented crisis situation in the road transport sector in the wake of COVID-19, ESC and CLECAT encourage the supply chain partners to ensure the availability and accessibility of the necessary basic facilities for the drivers at loading and unloading sites, as well as respectful cooperation and better coordination between the parties.

CLECAT welcomes the ambition of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent in the world by 2050.

A provisional agreement was reached between the Finnish Presidency and the European Parliament on the social and market access aspects of the 1st Mobility Package, during the third round of trilogues on 12 December. CLECAT welcomes a breakthrough following two-and-a-half years of negotiations but is equally disappointed that the industry concerns were not taken into account.

Industry associations urge the co-legislators to take into account that EU customers and consumers will only benefit from a well-functioning EU road transport market if posting rules are flexible but enforceable, return of the vehicle is not mandatory, less restrictive cabotage rules facilitate the reduction of empty runs, and safe and secure parking areas are created prior to forcing truck drivers outside of the cabin for regular and reduced weekly rests.

CLECAT takes note of the European Parliament's final position on the social and market related proposals of the Mobility Package, released in May 2017. Ms Nicolette van der Jagt, Director General of CLECAT, noted: “It remains to be seen whether the compromise reached on posting in international road transport will be feasible in practice. The patchwork of administrative national individual regulations will not be resolved by this for the time being.”

The under-signed organisations representing freight forwarders and express carriers urge MEPs to exclude international operations from a lex specialis in view of its adverse consequences for road transport on the European economy and trade at large. Excluding international transport operations from posting of workers rules will support effective, seamless and reliable road transport operations connecting citizens and businesses alike in the periphery and the centre of Europe with each other.