As Ireland takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, its programme arrives at a pivotal moment for European transport and trade. Businesses are navigating geopolitical uncertainty, rising costs, changing global supply chains, and the challenge of decarbonising freight transport while remaining internationally competitive. Against this backdrop, the Irish Presidency has rightly placed competitiveness at the heart of its agenda.
For European shippers, this is an encouraging starting point. Efficient transport systems, open trade, and sustainable logistics are not separate policy objectives—they are mutually dependent. A competitive Europe depends on reliable supply chains, efficient infrastructure, and predictable regulation. The Irish Presidency recognises this connection.
Transport: Keeping Europe’s Supply Chains Moving
Transport is the backbone of the European economy. Every manufacturing sector, retailer, and exporter depends on efficient logistics networks that connect suppliers, production facilities, ports, and consumers across the continent. Improving these networks is therefore not simply a transport objective but an economic necessity.
The Presidency’s commitment to strengthening cross-border connectivity and investing in strategic transport infrastructure is particularly welcome. Completing missing links in the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), improving access to ports and inland terminals, and increasing the resilience of transport corridors will all contribute to more reliable and efficient supply chains.
For shippers, reliability has become almost as important as cost. Recent years have shown how quickly disruptions—whether caused by pandemics, geopolitical conflicts, extreme weather, or infrastructure bottlenecks—can ripple through European and global supply chains. Building greater resilience into Europe’s transport network should therefore remain a priority throughout the Presidency.
Digitalisation also deserves continued attention. Better information exchange, interoperable digital transport documents, and improved multimodal planning can significantly reduce administrative burdens while increasing efficiency. The ongoing implementation of the electronic Freight Transport Information (eFTI) framework and wider digitalisation initiatives offer considerable opportunities for both public authorities and businesses.
At the same time, the transition towards low-emission transport must remain practical and economically viable. Decarbonisation is no longer a question of whether it will happen, but how it can be achieved while preserving Europe’s industrial competitiveness. The Presidency’s work on cleaner vehicles, maritime decarbonisation, and sustainable aviation should therefore be accompanied by investments in infrastructure, energy availability, and technologies that enable businesses to make the transition without undermining their competitiveness.
Trade: Open Markets Remain Europe’s Greatest Strength
Ireland has consistently been among Europe’s strongest advocates of open international trade, and this philosophy is clearly reflected in the Presidency programme.
For European shippers, maintaining open and predictable trade relationships is essential. Every additional market offers opportunities for European exporters, while diversified sourcing strengthens the resilience of supply chains. Efforts to advance trade negotiations with partners in Southeast Asia and the Gulf region therefore deserve broad support.
Equally important is the Presidency’s continued commitment to a rules-based international trading system. At a time when protectionist measures are increasing around the world, strengthening the World Trade Organization and maintaining predictable international trade rules remain crucial for businesses operating across global supply chains.
The Presidency also recognises that openness must increasingly be combined with economic security. Reducing strategic dependencies, protecting critical infrastructure, and improving supply-chain resilience have become legitimate policy objectives. The challenge will be to strike the right balance. Measures designed to enhance resilience should avoid creating unnecessary barriers, additional administrative burdens, or fragmentation within the Single Market.
For European shippers, resilience is achieved not by reducing trade, but by diversifying markets, investing in infrastructure and ensuring that logistics networks remain flexible enough to respond to future disruptions.
Sustainability Must Strengthen Competitiveness
One of the most encouraging aspects of the Irish Presidency is its consistent presentation of sustainability as a driver of competitiveness rather than an obstacle to economic growth.
This reflects the reality facing European industry. Customers increasingly demand sustainable supply chains, investors expect credible climate strategies, and regulators are setting ambitious environmental targets. Sustainable logistics is rapidly becoming a competitive advantage rather than simply a compliance exercise.
Nevertheless, the transition must remain realistic. Decarbonisation policies need to recognise the operational realities of freight transport. Alternative fuels, charging infrastructure, renewable energy availability, and commercially viable technologies all need to develop at a pace that allows businesses to invest with confidence.
For maritime transport in particular, international alignment remains essential. European measures should complement global agreements developed through the International Maritime Organization, ensuring both environmental progress and a level playing field for international shipping.
Similarly, investments in rail freight, inland waterways, multimodal terminals, and urban logistics can help reduce emissions while improving transport efficiency. Sustainability and competitiveness reinforce one another when supported by coherent investment policies.
From Regulation to Implementation
Perhaps the greatest challenge facing the Irish Presidency is not only the adoption of new legislation (such as the Combined Transport Directive and the new rules on weights and dimensions), but the effective implementation of the extensive body of transport and sustainability legislation agreed in recent years.
Businesses need regulatory stability and legal certainty. Rather than introducing continuous waves of new requirements, the focus should increasingly shift towards practical implementation, harmonisation across Member States, and reducing unnecessary administrative complexity.
Simplification has become an important element of the European competitiveness agenda. The transport sector stands to benefit significantly from streamlined reporting obligations, greater digital interoperability, and more consistent application of EU rules. These improvements can often deliver immediate efficiency gains without compromising environmental or social objectives.
A Presidency Focused on Europe’s Future
The Irish Presidency arrives at a time when Europe must simultaneously strengthen its economy, accelerate decarbonisation, and respond to an increasingly uncertain geopolitical landscape. Its programme acknowledges that these challenges cannot be addressed in isolation.
For European shippers, the priorities are clear: resilient transport networks, open international trade, efficient logistics, practical sustainability policies, and a competitive Single Market.
If the Presidency succeeds in advancing these objectives while maintaining close dialogue with industry and focusing on implementation as much as legislation, it will make a valuable contribution to Europe’s long-term competitiveness.
For the freight transport and logistics community, this is precisely the direction Europe needs.