Mixed progress on EU driving licence and coach tourism driver rules
The Council’s general approach takes small steps towards addressing driver shortages with the revision of the driving licence rules, better news is expected from the European Parliament. During the same meeting, the Council reached a historic agreement on the recognition of specific driving and rest time rules for coach tourism drivers.
Figure of the month: 50%
So many operators are finding it hard. What’s the solution?
IRU sets scene on commercial road transport decarbonisation ahead of COP28
Speaking at the World Green Economy Summit in Dubai today, IRU has outlined a realistic and practical roadmap to effectively decarbonise commercial road transport without undermining vital mobility and logistics services.
EU hauliers and drivers need a common salary calculator for posted drivers
Mobility Package 1 provisions regarding the posting of drivers became applicable almost two years ago in the EU. Transport operators are already expected to follow the new rules when they pay drivers posted in host countries. But national renumeration rules are often very unclear. IRU and the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) have asked the European Commission to develop a standard salary calculation template.
Digitalise to boost Central Asian connectivity, IRU stresses at UN forum
IRU’s TIR and Transit Director has urged Central Asian countries to accelerate the digitalisation of transport and trade to better manage the growing volumes of goods flowing through the region.
EU truck and bus CO₂ vote made even worse by absurd mandatory purchase idea
The European Parliament's plenary vote on CO₂ emission targets for heavy-duty vehicles today sets unrealistic targets for zero-emission vehicles, feebly tries to factor the role of carbon neutral fuels in decarbonisation, and attempts to bring the EU transport sector in line with totalitarian regimes by mandating purchase targets for transport operators.
Global truck driver shortage to double by 2028, says new IRU report
Geneva, 20 November 2023 – IRU’s 2023 driver shortage report has found that over three million truck driver jobs are unfilled, or 7% of total positions, in 36 countries studied. With the huge gap between young and old drivers growing, it will get much worse over the next five years without significant action.
Mongolian president meets IRU for high-level talks on trade and transport
IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto and the President of Mongolia have held high-level talks on measures to further streamline trade and professionalise the country’s road transport industry.
Operators, drivers and parking groups call for urgent EU truck parking deal
The ongoing revision of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) Regulation is of critical importance to the EU’s road transport sector. An agreement between legislators is desperately needed, followed by commitment from Member States.
New combined transport proposal could harm efficient intermodal cooperation
Despite hopes to the contrary, the European Commission’s long-overdue legislative proposal to amend the Combined Transport Directive could harm efficient intermodal cooperation, instead of boosting it, due to the ambiguous incentive framework for combined and intermodal freight.
The road to the future: road transport leaders head to Istanbul
IRU members, transport companies, development organisations and public authorities, including both Türkiye’s Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Trade, are gathering in Istanbul for a key regional event on pressing challenges.
European freight rates Q3 2023: Contract rates rally as spot rates continue to fall
The Upply x Ti x IRU European road freight rates index for Europe shows that the spot rates index moved further below the contract rates index in Q3 2023. The spot index fell for the fourth consecutive quarter, while the contract spot index climbed for the first time since Q4 2022.
Sichuan: Southwest China’s growing logistics hub turns to road transport
With the rising role of Sichuan as a leading logistics hub in China, IRU and the Sichuan Transportation Department have explored avenues to boost the region’s international connectivity and further professionalise drivers.
A circular economy needs road transport, IRU stresses in Riyadh
IRU, the world road transport organisation, outlined the sector’s critical role in fostering a circular economy as it marked its 75th anniversary with its members and partners from the region at Saudi Arabia’s Supply Chain and Logistics Conference.
Council backs intelligent systems deployment, EU states must now step up
IRU welcomes the Council’s formal adoption of the revised Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Directive, which ends the legislative cycle following the previous formal endorsement of the negotiated deal by the European Parliament. Member States must now adhere to the commitments outlined in the legislation and prioritise mobility data sharing and availability.
EU Commission offers reasonable grace period given tachograph 2 shortage
The European Commission has proposed a grace period until the end of the year for trucks and coaches registered since 21 August 2023 to be equipped with the new smart tachograph version 2 (SMT2), for both national and international transport, as advocated for by IRU.
What next? Road transport makes its case on decarbonisation to EU MEPs
EU road transport industry leaders, joined by their American counterparts, were at the European Parliament to outline why some legislators need to reassess their approach to CO₂ standards for heavy-duty vehicles.