Newsletters

On 28 October, the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) adopted its report on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union, repealing Directive (EU) 2016/1148 (NIS2). The proposed NIS2 addresses the shortcomings identified in the existing NIS Directive and sets tighter cybersecurity obligations in terms of risk management, reporting obligations and information sharing.

On 25 October, the European Parliament’s Petitions (PETI) Committee adopted a resolution on the safety of truck parking areas in the EU, asking for more co-ordination among Member States to tackle criminality against drivers and their cargo, and for increased funding to improve facilities, with 31 votes in favour and 1 against.

On 27 October, the European Commission released its first consolidated report on the implementation and enforcement of EU trade agreements, following the appointment of the Chief Trade Enforcement Officer (CTEO) on 24 July 2020. The report offers a snapshot of the evolution of the EU’s preferential trade in 2020, looking at 37 main trade agreements with 67 partners. It is accompanied by a staff working document with detailed information per partner country and agreement.

On 22 October, the ICAO High-level Conference on COVID-19 completed a comprehensive review of pandemic-driven priorities for global air transport. In a new Declaration, ICAO formalised its commitments on border risk management and vaccination approaches, building air transport back better for sustainability and future pandemic resilience, as well as other key priorities aimed at accelerating air tourism and trade recovery.

On 27 October, the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Committee held a public debate on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the global development strategy adopted by the Chinese government, involving infrastructure development and investments.

On 26 October, negotiators from the Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on revised rules for the use of hired vehicles for goods transport. The revision was proposed by the Commission in 2017 as part of the Mobility Package I and is aimed at clarifying the current rules, harmonising the legal framework and easing the restrictions on the use of such vehicles.

The UK Government has decided to allow non-UK operators temporary extra cabotage rights from 28 October until 30 April 2022. The relaxation of the rules were announced in the final report on the results of the public consultation on the temporary extension to road haulage cabotage. The measures are aimed at temporarily alleviating pressures in the UK supply chain associated with the current shortage in HGV drivers.

The IMO’s Intersessional Working Group on reduction of GHG emissions from ships which met last week considered various proposals for mid-term measures to reduce GHG emissions, including a number of submissions related to potential market-based measures. In line with the Work plan on the development of mid- and long-term measures agreed last June by the Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC), the proposals tabled present the main features and implications of these measures as follows

CLECAT’s Freight Forwarders Forum entitled ‘building sustainable and resilient supply chains’ will take place on 25 November in Brussels in a hybrid format. Registration is possible on the CLECAT website.