Newsletters

On 3 May, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for global air cargo markets in March 2022, showing a drop in demand. According to the analysis, the effects of the Omicron variant in Asia, the war in Ukraine, and a challenging operating backdrop contributed to the decline.

The Loadstar reported on 10 May that ocean carrier alliances are preparing to blank more than a third of their sailings from Asia over the coming weeks in response to a reduction in export freight, according to the latest report from Project44. The blanking strategies by the alliances to mitigate the impact of the COVID lockdowns in China will further extend cargo lead times, particularly to North Europe.

On 5 May, the European Commission’s Directorate General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) published a report that compares the performance of different intermodal transhipment technologies in combination with various loading units. The study sheds light on which combinations are most used, how cost- and time efficient and available they are and what their future potential is. The study also analyses the available capacity and limitations of terminals on the TEN-T network.

On 12 May, the European Commission presented a set of actions to help Ukraine export its agricultural produce. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its blockade of Ukrainian ports, Ukrainian grain and other agricultural goods can no longer reach their destinations. In its communication, the Commission sets out an action plan to establish ‘Solidarity Lanes' to ensure Ukraine can export grain, but also import the goods it needs, from humanitarian aid to animal feed and fertilisers.

On 5 May, the European Parliament adopted with a large majority a resolution on the impact of Russian’s illegal war against Ukraine on the EU transport and tourism sectors. MEPs recognise transport as a strategic tool for the EU to provide solidarity and support to Ukraine and its people.

On 10 May, CLECAT attended the third meeting of the EU Domestic Advisory Group (DAG) under the EU-UK Trade and Facilitation Agreement (TCA), which advises the EU Commission on the TCA implementation. The EU DAG discussed the progress made in implementing the TCA and reflected on possible future cooperation with the Commission, the TCA Civil Society Forum and the EU DAG counterpart in the UK.

Ahead of the vote on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) report on 17 May, CLECAT called on the European Parliament’s ENVI Committee to secure an effective CBAM and pave the way for its uniform and proper implementation, which will be indispensable for achieving CBAM’s goals as originally intended.

CLECAT calls on Members of the ENVI Committee to support the creation of a separate EU ETS for heating and road transport (ETS II) only if it enables to pursue the objectives of the European Green Deal and respects the ‘polluter-pays’ principle.

On 27 April, CLECAT participated in the meeting of the Digital Transport & Logistics Forum’s (DTLF) Subgroup 1 (Paperless Transport), which is the formal Commission Expert Group on the eFTI Regulation. Updates were given on the state of play of the eFTI implementation preparation, including on the implementing and delegated acts of the eFTI Regulation, as well as on the progress and next steps of the work carried out in the teams of Subgroup 1.