ESC calls for flexible EU Weights and Dimensions rules for zero-emission trucks
On 6 October, Member States discussed a revised text on the EU Weights and Dimensions Directive as negotiations continue. European Shippers’ Council supports flexible rules that maintain efficient cross-border freight...
Ports, data, and the future of European trade
30 September 2026, at the Connecting Europe Days, Godfried Smit, the ESC Secretary General, highlighted the essential role of ports in European supply chains and the need to ensure that...
Commission President von der Leyen calls for a stronger European Transport Union
Opening the Connecting Europe Days 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for the development of a “true Transport Union” capable of supporting the Single Market, strengthening European...
Human rights due diligence in road transport: from compliance to action
European Shippers’ Council attended the AIM-Progress “Human Rights in Road Transport” event in Brussels on 24 September. The event brought together shippers, carriers, and other stakeholders to discuss human rights...
UK-EU reset: could mutual recognition agreements be the next step?
The UK’s evolving “reset” with the EU is increasingly focused on closer regulatory cooperation and dynamic alignment, with agreements already being pursued in areas such as agricultural sanitary and phytosanitary...
ESC and USER bring shippers and freight forwarders together in Bucharest
On 9 September 2026, the Freight Forwarders Association of Romania (USER) organised two industry panels during the international exhibition TransLogistica Romania 2026, with Godfried Smit, Secretary General of the European...
EU ETS revision: what it means for European shippers
The European Commission is proposing changes to the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) for maritime transport, with implications for freight costs, connectivity, fuel availability, and the competitiveness of European supply...
ESC joins European stakeholders in call for urgent action on Danube navigation restrictions
The European Shippers’ Council (ESC), together with a group of European organisations representing inland waterway transport, shipping, industry, ports, river cruising, and waterborne technology, has called on the European Commission...
EU Customs Reform: what the Parliament vote means for European shippers
On 16 September 2026, the European Parliament voted in favour of the reform establishing a new Union Customs Code and the European Union Customs Authority (EUCA), marking a major step...
State of the Union 2026: what it means for European shippers
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her 2026 State of the Union address on 16 September, setting out the Commission’s priorities for the year ahead. For European shippers...
ESC takes part in PERMAGOV stakeholder workshop on Maritime Transport and Marine Governance
European Shippers’ Council took part in the PERMAGOV Stakeholder Workshop “Improving Marine Governance for the EU Ocean Pact”, held in Brussels on 8 September 2026.
Participants from research, policymaking, industry,...
BRICS New Delhi Declaration – Trade, WTO, and Customs
The BRICS New Delhi Declaration, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” adopted at the XVIII BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12 September 2026, reaffirms strong support for WTO...
Commission presents EU-India trade agreement to Council for approval
11 September 2026, the European Commission put forward its proposals to the Council for the signature and conclusion of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the European Union and India ,...
ESC attends European Parliament debate on EU rail funding and freight connectivity
ESC attended the policy debate “From Funding to Delivery: Putting Rail Projects on Track” , organised by the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) and Iarnród Éireann-Irish Rail,...
WTO issues 2026 Annual Report
The WTO Annual Report 2026 provides a comprehensive account of the organisation's activities in 2025 and the early part of 2026. The Report looks back at recent key events, such...