Withdrawal Agreement: European Commission sends letter of formal notice to the UK for breach of its obligations
1 October 2020, the European Commission sent the United Kingdom a letter of formal notice for breaching its obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement. This marks the...
400,000 seafarers stuck at sea
24 September 2020, during a high-level event on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly Captain Hedi Marzougui appealed to Governments to act to allow...
New Customs Union Action Plan
28 September 2020, the European Commission launched a new Customs Union Action Plan setting out a series of measures to make EU customs smarter, more innovative,...
The Council approves granting €87.4 billion to support 16 Member States under SURE
The European Commission welcomes the Council's approval to grant €87.4 billion of financial support to 16 Member States under the SURE instrument to help protect jobs...
Allocation key for Next Generation EU instrument
In its answer to the European Parliament, the European Commission explains the grouping of the Member States in the modelling exercise for the Next Generation EU...
European Commission: adopting standards for inland waterways vessels
The European Commission issued the Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union on the technical standards...
ICONET project: improving performance of the supply chain
ICONET is a 30-month EU-funded project focusing on the implementation of the Physical Internet. The Smart PI Container is the cornerstone of the project. It is...
Shippers call for crew changes
European shippers together with the Global Shippers’ Alliance appeal to eliminate obstacles to crew changes. Letters have been sent to the International Maritime Organization and the...
WTO issues report on measures to expedite access to COVID-19 critical goods, services
The WTO Secretariat has published a new information note on how WTO members have used trade measures to expedite access to critical medical goods and services...
2020 WCO Annual Report
The WCO Annual Report 2020 outlines the main activities carried out during the 2019-2020 financial year, the main developments within the WCO and its regional structures,...
Posting in the Netherlands
The Working Conditions Posted Workers Act in the European Union (WagwEU in Dutch) has been in force since 1 June 2016. The Act governs the employment...
Mobility Package: dispute before the EU Court of Justice, hotel for foreign truck drivers, and consequences for shippers
Lithuania disputes the MOBILITY PACKAGE before the EU Court of Justice Some Member States do not approve of the new measures of the EU like the...
Adoption of Mobility Package I. Consequences for shippers
8th of July 2020, the European Parliament voted on the Mobility Package I in the second reading. This means that the text will be published in...
European Commission on the final adoption of the Mobility Package I by the European Parliament
9th July 2020, the European Commission welcomes the social improvements of the Mobility Package I voted by the European Parliament. However, they regret that the new...
European Council on 17-18 July 2020
EU leaders will meet physically in Brussels to discuss the recovery plan to respond to the COVID-19 crisis and a new long-term EU budget. On 19...
German Presidency – “Emerging stronger from the crisis together”
Germany's presidency of the Council of the EU covers the period from the 1st of July till the 31st of December 2020. The priorities of Germany's...
DG TRADE on the tools for economic recovery
DG TRADE presents findings from its in-house analysis regarding the post COVID-19 era. It stresses the importance of trade and highlights that protectionist measures are very...
Longer trains tested in the Netherlands
Rail carrier LTE has tested 740-meter freight trains. The company will continue operating these trains next year. Main advantages of using longer trains include a boost...
European Commission’s annual activity reports
The European Commission has published its Annual activity reports 2019. Every department and executive agency of the European Commission publishes an annual activity report. It details...
Free trade agreement with Vietnam to enter into force on 1 August 2020
The EU has negotiated a comprehensive free trade agreement with Vietnam. This leads to a reduction of 99% of all customs duties and further trade facilitation....
EC Temporary Framework to support micro and small enterprises
12 June 2020, the European Commission proposed to further extend the scope of the Temporary Framework by enabling Member States (i) to support certain micro and...
Motorways of the Sea: detailed implementation plan is ready
Detailed Implementation Plan for Motorways of the Sea sets the priorities for the creation of a sustainable, smart and seamless European Maritime Space. This plan is...
Norway ratifies e-CMR protocol
In June, Norway ratified the e-CMR protocol. In place since 2011, e-CMR, the electronic protocol of the standard consignment note under the United Nations Convention for...
European Commission is undertaking major EU trade policy review
The European Commission’s major review of the European Union's trade policy will include a public consultation seeking input from the European Parliament, Member States, stakeholders, and...
CLECAT joins Drewry-ESC transparent tool for bunker charges
Brussels, London, 30 June 2020 – European forwarders’ association joins industry initiative on a fair, neutral bunker adjustment factor indexing mechanism for shippers, forwarders and shipping...
TIACA launches its 2nd Air Cargo Sustainability Award
The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) announced that the second edition of the Air Cargo Sustainability Award is now open for applications. The competition aims to...
EC guidelines: restoration of transport services and connectivity
The European Commission published Guidelines on the Progressive Restoration of Transport Services and Connectivity – COVID-19 2020/C 169/02. Given the global nature of the COVID-19 outbreak...
Influence of COVID-19 on ports compared to 2008 financial crisis
The normal flow patterns in maritime sector are severely disrupted due to COVID-19. Global container shipping has a decrease of 8-10 % in the volumes transported....
Galileo Green Lanes application
The Galileo Green Lanes App is now open for use by all interested parties, companies, and drivers in the EU and neighbouring countries. The application was...
ESC and evofenedex focus on Turkey’s trade barriers
Due to COVID-19, Turkey has increased the import duties on products originating from third countries. Besides, European exporters will be asked to provide a declaration of...
Container transport: Drewry-ESC satisfaction survey
Availability of cargo space is number one customer requirement, according to the fourth annual shipper satisfaction survey of Drewry and ESC. Container shipping lines’ ability to provide...
COVID-19: WTO reports growing number of export restrictions
Eighty countries and customs territories so far have introduced export prohibitions or restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic according to a new report by...
COVID-19: Galileo Green Lane, easing pressure at the EU’s internal borders
The European GNSS Agency is working together with the European Commission on an application to facilitate the movement of goods and freight within the EU in...
COVID-19: more news
ESC is following closely the developments related to COVID-19. For the measures per country and links to different organisations taking steps to respond to the coronavirus...
Post-COVID-19: ESC, CLECAT, and EEA on Green Lanes and Air Cargo guidelines
Brussels, 27 April 2020, European Shippers’ Council, CLECAT, and the European Express Association welcome last week’s Joint European Commission and European Council Roadmap towards lifting COVID-19...
Interim appeal arrangement for WTO disputes
30 April 2020, the EU and other WTO members have formally notified the 'Multi-party interim appeal arbitration arrangement' (MPIA) to the World Trade Organization (WTO). This...
Decarbonization matters. Launch of Smart Freight Procurement Questionnaire
13 May 2020, Smart Freight Centre launches its Smart Freight Procurement (SFP) Questionnaire. Shippers and logistics service providers are welcome to join the online webinar sessions...
New Council positions on Mobility Package files and e-freight transport information
On 7 April 2020, Council adopted its position on the 3 "Mobility Package I"-files (Posting of drivers, Driving times and rest periods/tachographs, and Access to the...
COVID-19: state aid for railway sector
There are possibilities to support the railway sector with state aid. EU regulation allows this under the current exceptional circumstances. Railway lobby organisations have been shouting...
COVID-19: shippers and forwarders question air cargo handling surcharges
European shippers are challenging new cargo handling surcharges being imposed by air freight handlers. Together with freight forwarders they call on air freight handlers to justify...
Update: ESC COVID-19 measures
Please see updated information on COVID-19 measures implemented by EU Member States and other links related to COVID-19 response.
COVID-19: deadline extension for autonomous tariff suspension requests
Following the decision of the European Commission, the French Directorate General of Customs and Indirect Rights (DGDDI) published a Notice to importers of certain agricultural and...
#EUvsVirus Pan-European Hackaton: 24, 25, 26 April 2020
The European Commission, in close collaboration with EU Member States, will host a pan-European hackathon to connect civil society, innovators, partners, and buyers across Europe to...
COVID-19: EU state and temporary framework
On 19 March 2020,1 the European Commission adopted a State Aid Temporary Framework to enable EU Member States to use the full flexibility foreseen under EU...
COVID-19: WTO and WCO pledge joint efforts to facilitate trade in essential goods
6 April 2020, the heads of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and World Customs Organization (WCO) issued a joint statement pledging to work together to facilitate...
Mobility package: Council adopts truck drivers reform
7 April 2020, the Council adopted a major reform of the EU road transport sector, known as the Mobility Package. The new rules will improve drivers'...
Additional customs duties on imports from the USA
The European Union shall apply additional customs duties as specified in Regulation (EU) 2020/502 of 6 April 2020 on certain commercial policy measures concerning certain products...
Regular update on measures related to COVID-19
ESC prepares a regular update on the measured introduced by the EU Member States related to COVID-19. For the recent information, please see here.
Supply chain stakeholders alert President Von der Leyen about their disapproval of the CBER decision
The supply chain stakeholders alert the President of the European Commission, Ms Ursula Von der Leyen, that they disapprove of the prolongation of the Consortia Block...
COVID-19: loading and unloading sites. ESC and CLECAT joint recommendations
ESC and CLECAT reach out to drivers, road hauliers, logistics service providers, consignors, and consignees to work together to diminish the impact of COVID-19 at loading...
Overview of open service points for truck drivers
Transportation of goods across and between countries is essential. However, truck drivers are facing more and more issues, caused by the presence of COVID-19 restrictions. Due...
Update on the waiting times at the border
Corona has led to many new rules within the European Union. These rules are not only on the national level, but they are also focused on...
Coronavirus: ESC calls for additional freight flights after US entry ban
President Trump of the United States (USA) announced last night that, from Friday noon until end of April, an entry ban applies to residents of the...
Anticipating the impact of COVID-19 for logistics partners
This week, Lisbon, ESC Secretary General Godfried Smit will speak to Portuguese shippers on the challenges that COVID-19 brings to shippers and ways to anticipate the...
ESC supports Commission’s climate policy to improve sustainability in European transport
Brussels, 4 March 2020, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans presented the framework for achieving the Paris Climate Agreement. ESC welcomes the European Commission’s...
European Commission proposes 2021 as the European Year of Rail
European Commission proposes 2021 as the European Year of Rail! (more…)
CORONAVIRUS: container line shipping heavily hit
CORONAVIRUS: container line shipping heavily hit Ships that do sail between Asia and Europe are less loaded (more…)
Fourth Drewry-ESC annual survey of shippers on container shipping service quality
The European Shippers’ Council, which represents the logistics interests of manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers across Europe, and Drewry, the leading international shipping consultant, invite you to...
Coronavirus impacts shippers
The whole world is following the news on coronavirus and hoping for the quickest development of proper preventive measures and for the cure for the infected...
Commissioner Hogan on WTO reform, Green Deal, and EU, US, China relations
EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan set out his vision for trade policy under the Von Der Leyen Commission at the Centre for European Reform’s third annual...
Shippers together with other stakeholders call for a bold and realistic European Green Deal
The European associations representing logistics service providers, seaport and inland port authorities, shippers, inland waterways, combined transport operators, rail freight operators, port operators and terminal operators,...
Objection to include CBER prolongation in Commission’s programme
Shippers, freight forwarders and port service providers strongly object to the inclusion of the prolongation of the CBER in the Commission’s Work Programme Brussels, 10th of...
Postponed to 11th of June 2020
The conference 'The EU, US, and China in the Age of Disruption: Impacts and Solutions' will take place in Brussels on the 11th of June 2020....
Stakeholders in the Maritime Logistic Supply urge the Commission to proceed to a proper objective evaluation of the Consortia BER.
JOINT PRESS RELEASE Stakeholders in the Maritime Logistics Supply Chain urge EC to proceed to a proper objective evaluation of the Consortia BER. Brussels, Belgium, 17...
3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety
Stockholm, 19-20 February 2020, ESC will take part in the 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety hosted by Sweden. The theme of the conference is...
Transport as a priority of the Croatian Presidency
A European transport area, high-quality and secure data infrastructure, and an integrated energy market are keys to make the European Union more connected. A Europe that...
Mobility Package 1 on the way to adoption
On the 20th of December 2019, the Council’s Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER 2) approved a set of proposals – known as the Mobility Package –...
Trade: tariffs suspension and REX
Autonomous common customs tariff duties on certain agricultural and industrial products are suspended as from the 1st of January 2020 following the publication in the Official...
ICONET: reduced costs, diminished congestion, increased efficiency
Antwerp, 2-3 December 2019, ICONET project partners demonstrated technical developments of the project and the outputs of the living labs at the ICONET workshop. The ICONET...
Official Controls Regulation
The new Official Controls Regulation regarding safer food and plant health entered into application on the 14th of December 2019. All business operators are subject to...
eFTI progress continues
The process of turning the Electronic Freight Transport Information (eFTI) Regulation from a mere proposal into an EU law has entered its final stage – formal...
ALICE launches a roadmap towards zero emissions
ESC, as a member of the Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe (ALICE) is supporting the “ALICE roadmap towards zero emissions logistics 2050”. The...
European shippers reject BER extension
The current Consortia Block Exemption Regulation, in place since 2009, doesn’t provide any instruments to deal with the current market drivers and has serious consequences that...
Irish road hauliers affected by a no-deal Brexit
Should the United Kingdom leave the Union without an agreement, contingency measures adopted by the co-legislators — Regulation (EU) 2019/501 (1) — provide for basic connectivity...
Striving to be a dangerous goods compliant gateway
The Belgian Shippers’ Council joined the dangerous goods campaign of Air Cargo Belgium and the two organisations together with the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority produced a...
Cecilia Malmström on the situation of the WTO Appellate Body
Brussels, 6 November, at the International Trade Committee of the European Parliament, Cecilia Malmström, Commissioner for trade, spoke about the outcome of the WTO Ministerial (Shanghai,...
ESC on current trends and challenges facing transport modes
Madrid, 30 October 2019, ESC presented its position on current trends in shipping at the Connecting TEN-T corridors and sustainable MoS in the West Med sea...
Smarter rules for safer food and plant health
With the support of the Finnish Presidency of the Council of the EU, DG SANTE is organising the conference “Smarter rules for safer food and plant...
Invitation to FERRMED Brussels Conference, November 6th, 2019
FERRMED is pleased to announce a new FERRMED Conference entitled: “The second Eurasian Connectivity and Industrial Cooperation Forum (Europe)”, on November 6th, 2019, in the Residence Palace...
Brexit grace period
Several European organisations have asked for a so-called grace period for consignments that start their journey before a hard Brexit and arrive after the Brexit date....