Press releases

Some days before a strategic vote on the 4th Railway package, some MEPs – supported by incumbents – are bringing amendments which may lead to an unacceptable set back of the European Railway reform. CLECAT, ERFA and ESC consider it as a sabotage action towards fullfilment of the European railway reform.

CLECAT, the European Association for forwarding, transport, logistics and customs services held its 13th annual event under the theme “Innovative Solutions in Logistics: from Strategy to Reality”on Thursday 28th of November in Antwerp. 

FIATA and CLECAT are pleased that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) reached a decision on a mechanism to reduce aviation emissions. On Friday, 4 October in Montreal ICAO's 38th General Assembly agreed to come up with a global market based measure (MBM) for international aviation for implementation from 2020. The aim is to have 'carbon neutral growth from 2020 and halving emission by 2020 based on 2005 levels.'

CLECAT, the Brussels based organisation representing the interests of freight forwarders and logistics service providers, calls on the Council to make real progress on the Safety Directive and the European Railway Agency (ERA) Regulation.  CLECAT believes that the only possible way towards a Single European Railway Area is through ERA acting as a one stop-shop for the vehicle and ERTMS authorisation, and Safety Certification.  In line with recent calls from the railway industry, CLECAT rejects alternative approaches, such as the one currently being developed by some Member States which propose NSAs cooperating amongst themselves as “leading NSA”.   CLECAT fears that such an approach, that will be discussed in the near future under the Lithuanian Presidency, would undermine the concept of a European authorisation. 

The International and European freight forwarders' associations, FIATA and CLECAT, with its collective membership representing over 164 countries, unite in advocating for a global emissions solution that allows the airfreight market to look forward to a more predictable and sustainable business environment in future. They are hopeful that ICAO's 191 member countries will finally agree, in the coming week, on the details of a global market-based measure during the ICAO General Assembly, which opened in Montreal on September 24, 2013. Ms Veronique Corduant, Chairwoman of CLECAT's working group on sustainable transport said: "Our associations are hopeful that an overall agreement with the goal of carbon-neutral growth from 2020 can be reached. The environmental challenge of the airline industry is a global challenge. Global issues must be addressed globally and now is the time to do it!"

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.