Newsletters

On 23 June, the WTO launched the Trade Connectivity Heatmap, which gives a broad overview of the trade relationships of more than 180 economies across 70 different product categories.

On 22 June, the European Parliament adopted its position on the regulation establishing the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Parliament is now ready to start negotiations with Member States.

Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean responded on 2nd June to a question sent by MEP Kosma Złotowski (ECR, Poland) in December 2021 criticising the Commission for not reacting to Austrian restrictions on truck traffic in the Tyrol region.

On 20 June, the European Commission adopted a legislative proposal setting out temporary rules on Ukrainian driving documents to allow Ukrainian citizens residing in the EU under the temporary protection regime to continue to use their Ukrainian driving licence without needing to exchange it for an EU driving licence or to sit a new driving test.

On 7 June, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) released April 2022 data for global air cargo markets, showing a drop in demand and contraction in capacity. The effects of the COVID-19 Omicron variant in Asia, as well as the Russian war in Ukraine continue to create a challenging operating backdrop that is driving the decline.

On 16 June, President Biden signed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA) 2022 into law. Addressing the Congress on the OSRA President Biden noted: “In my State of the Union address, I called on Congress to address ocean carriers’ high prices and unfair practices because rising ocean shipping costs are a major contributing factor to increased costs for American families."

On 6 July, CLECAT & DG TAXUD are jointly 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. So far, more than 200 participants registered.

On 23rd June CLECAT joined the second meeting organised by DG MOVE on the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes, to support the export of Ukrainian agricultural goods blocked in the Black Sea ports. Representatives from the Ukrainian government as well as transport logistics providers reported on developments with regards to the volume of goods currently exported, the situation at border points with the EU and addressed the current logistical and administrative challenges from the initiative.

The CLECAT Board, General Assembly and institutes met last week in Brussels. It was for some members the first occasion to meet again with other member associations in person in Brussels, to discuss and plan for the coming year, addressing priories but also to address ongoing logistics and supply chain issues.