Press releases

30 September 2013
CLECAT, ECSA and ECASBA keen to see the port regulation adopted soon
On 30 September 2013 a first discussion will take place in the Transport Committee of the European Parliament on the proposal from the European Commission for a Regulation establishing a framework on market access to port services and financial transparency of ports.Users of port services welcome this proposal and hope for a swift adoption. Ship agents (ECASBA), freight forwarders (CLECAT) and shipowners (ECSA) find it very positive that – at last - a legal basis will be in place with regard to market access and transparency in ports.
24 September 2013
Press Release: Freight Forwarders call on Russia to secure a solution that does not hamper trade
European and international Freight Forwarders associations CLECAT and FIATA call on Russian customs authorities to find a solution to the on-going conflict on the TIR System on the Russian territory.  The organisations are concerned on the possible disruption to trade with Russia and other countries concerned by transit through Russian territory and stress on the need for all parties involved to ensure continuity of the TIR system to secure and facilitate trade.
12 September 2013
Press Release: ‘Container Weight Proposal Ineffective’
From September 16th to September 21st the International Maritime Organization will discuss a draft amendment that will make the verification of the weight of every loaded container through a certified process mandatory.The European and international Freight Forwarders associations (FIATA and CLECAT), the European Shippers’ Council (ESC), and the European representation of maritime terminals and stevedores (FEPORT) have considered with interest the proposals which will be up for discussion at the International Maritime Organisation next week (DSC 18).
27 June 2013
CLECAT weighs in on TOC panel debate on container weighing
Marc Huybrechts, President of CLECAT, participated in a Round Table panel debate at the TOC Container Supply Chain Conference in Rotterdam today discussing some major issues that are central to the container weighing and more in particular about who bears the responsibility for weight accuracy of containers.There is general consensus that the inaccuracy of weight declaration in the unit load industry compromises safety and efficiency. The way how to implement changes that are appropriate and proportionate is more controversial. CLECAT is of the opinion that adding further specifications to the existing SOLAS weighing requirements for the transport of containers by sea will lead to a dis-proportionate burden for the industry.
26 June 2013
Partnership between CLECAT and Clean Shipping Index
CLECAT has joined the Clean Shipping Network as a supporting member. The Clean Shipping Index is a benchmarking tool to evaluate the environmental performance of ships and carriers and is used during procurement of sea transport by a network of large cargo owners and freight forwarders. The Clean Shipping Index covers the major emissions from ships such as CO2, NOx, SOx and also emissions to the sea by waste, on board use of  chemicals in antifouling, lubricants, refrigerants and cleaning agents. The database can be accessed through www.cleanshippingindex.com.
24 May 2013
Press Release: CLECAT welcomes new EU proposal on Ports policy as step in the right direction
CLECAT is pleased that the Commission has finally made its policy proposals on Ports public. CLECAT welcomes the publication of the proposal for a Regulation establishing a framework on market access to port services and financial transparency of ports. The legislative proposal is accompanied by a Communication entitled: 'Ports: an engine for growth.'Ms Nicolette van der Jagt, Director General of CLECAT says: "The proposal calls for modernisation of EU ports and financial transparency which is an important step in the right direction."
22 May 2013
CLECAT calls on European Parliament to support proposals for a Single European Railway Area
In anticipation of the debates on the 4th Railway Package taking place in the Transport Committee of the European Parliament next week, CLECAT has briefed MEPs on its position on the Commission proposals. CLECAT calls on the EP not to tackle any of the elements of the Package separately, but to ensure that they will be implemented as a package, to create the real internal market for rail services that will bring greater efficiency and a greater degree of innovation.
16 May 2013
CLECAT urges Commission not to abandon its ambition for a European Single Transport Area
Following statements from the Commission earlier this week, CLECAT calls on Vice-President Siim Kallas to do his utmost to ensure that its policy proposals on cabotage reflect the goals for a European Single Transport Area. Recognising that the political will may not be ready to accept a move to full liberalisation, CLECAT continues to call for a gradual and flexible opening of the road cabotage market which is accompanied by further harmonisation of social legislation and enforcement procedures. The fact that the Commission calls for more time certainly does not mean that its mid- and longer term goals are abandoned; the Commission has clearly said that the current cabotage restrictions go against the spirit of a European Single Market which guarantees the rights of all citizens to work, travel and trade freely.
17 April 2013
CLECAT publishes Guide on Calculating GHG emissions for Freight Forwarding and Logistics Services
CLECAT has published today a guide entitled ‘Calculating GHG emissions for freight forwarders and logistics services'. The guide is a practical tool for freight forwarders and logistics service providers that seek to make use of the recently published CEN standard(1) in order to determine their environmental footprint and seek ways to reduce it.CLECAT is convinced that this standardised calculation methodology will benefit industry, facilitate communication on the results and enable comparisons of energy consumptions and GHG emissions of different transport operations realised by companies.
21 March 2013
CLECAT welcomes Court decision in Italy on minimum safety costs in Road Transport
The European Freight Forwarders' Organisation, CLECAT, has welcomed a decision from the Italian Regional Administrative Court regarding the controversial system of the minimum safety costs governing the national road transport sector in Italy since 2008. Following appeals from a number of Italian associations representing industry, freight forwarding and logistics, who argued that the system is not compliant with EU competition law, the Court decided last Friday to refer the case to the European Court of Justice.  CLECAT and its members are hopeful that the European Court will judge that the national law is not compatible with the cornerstones of the internal market, in particular the free circulation of enterprise, right of establishment and freedom to provide services and with the EU competition rules (art 49 and 56, 96, 101 TFEU).