Five years of TIR in China driving east-west connectivity
TIR was officially launched in China in May 2018, strengthening the country's trade links with Central Asia and Europe. Five years later, TIR now connects China with over 30 countries across Eurasia.
New TIR route activated along China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan corridor
IRU member CEVA Logistics has activated a new TIR route along the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan corridor.
Questions remain as EU committee backs alternative fuel infrastructure deal
IRU welcomes today’s vote by the European Parliament's Committee on Transport on the alternative fuels infrastructure regulation (AFIR). The agreed text sets an initial and binding EU legal framework, but it falls short of the level of ambition called for by IRU.
United States lifts Covid-19 vaccine mandate for foreign drivers
North America's road transportation industry welcomes the United States removing its Covid-19 vaccine mandate for foreign truck drivers, following lobbying by IRU members.
EU proposes a sour Eurovignette incentive
The European Commission proposal made today to add trailers and semi-trailers to the Eurovignette Directive can only be seen as an industry incentive if Member States are obliged to apply it from the same date as the motor vehicle CO₂ rate variation.
European road freight rates Q1 2023: contract rates start falling as spot rates continue to drop
The Upply x Ti x IRU European road freight rates index for Europe shows that both spot and contract rates are falling q-o-q, dropping by 7.5 and 2.8 points, respectively.
Smart tachograph version 2: EU Member States support timely introduction
IRU welcomes the introduction of the transitional smart tachograph version 2. Set to become mandatory on 21 August 2023, the smart tachograph will introduce new features and facilitate the work of drivers, operators and enforcers.
Clean-tech road transport firm Trailer Dynamics joins IRU
Trailer Dynamics, a technology innovator focused on electrified and aerodynamic truck trailers, has joined IRU as its newest member.
How Spain is tackling driver shortages
Spain is facing a shortage of drivers – and it’s likely to get worse if current trends continue. We asked Ramón Valdivia, Executive Vice President of IRU member ASTIC and IRU Presidential Executive member, what is being – and should be – done in response.
Iraq joins TIR to boost trade and economic development
The Republic of Iraq, at the crossroads of several trade routes in the Middle East, has become the 78th country to accede to the United Nations TIR Convention. Iraq’s accession to the TIR Convention anchors its strategic role as a transit hub and further supports the country’s economic vision in expanding its non-oil sectors.
Small steps forward in EU alternative fuel infrastructure deal
IRU has welcomed the provisional agreement reached between the European Council, Commission and Parliament on the alternative fuels infrastructure regulation (AFIR). While the deal falls short on the level of ambition called for by IRU, it does increase the investment commitment of Member States.
EU Data Act negotiations: IRU warns against trade secrets excuse
The Council of the European Union has adopted its general approach on the Data Act. IRU has previously welcomed the text adopted by the European Parliament. But the Council’s version allows data holders to refuse users access to their own data. As with the Parliament’s text, IRU welcomes the clarification regarding vehicle users and third parties’ access to vehicle-generated data, as well as the additional limits on governments’ access to such data.
IRU marks 75th anniversary with eye on future of road transport
IRU, the world road transport organisation, celebrates its 75th anniversary today, eyeing mobility and logistics opportunities that lie ahead. The International Road Transport Union, the voice of over 3.5 million road transport companies operating mobility and logistics services, was founded in Geneva on 23 March 1948.
Huawei opts for TIR to streamline GCC supply chains
Huawei Group is now benefiting from faster, safer and more efficient road transport connectivity in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) with the TIR system. To effectively meet growing customer demand, notably for e-commerce, Huawei has turned to TIR to better serve its consumers in Saudi Arabia and the rest of the GCC region.
Nurturing talent: Italian bus company takes matters into its own hands
Italy, just like many other countries, is suffering from a shortage of drivers, which is compounded by the minimum driving age being 21. Italian bus operator Bus Company has taken matters into its own hands, launching a training academy. Fabrizio Corona, Responsible for Academy and Training at Bus Company, told us all about it.
Flagship EU hydrogen truck project kicks off in Brussels
IRU and three of its EU members have joined the H2Accelerate TRUCKS project to propel the decarbonisation of long-haul trucks across the European Union. IRU, together with its members from Austria (WKÖ), Italy (FIAP) and Romania (UNTRR), have joined one of the EU’s biggest zero-emission vehicle projects.
Greek aid trucks continue earthquake relief
In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that hit Türkiye and Syria, IRU’s Greek member the Hellenic Federation of Road Transport (OFAE) has delivered essential relief items to people impacted by the earthquake. A caravan of trucks organised by IRU member OFAE has delivered essential relief items to people impacted by the earthquake in Türkiye.
IRU welcomes European Parliament vote on pioneer data act
The European Parliament has adopted its position on the Data Act, the first EU industrial data rulebook, setting harmonised rules on accessing, sharing and using data generated by connected products, such as vehicles, and related services.
Greening road transport: IRU members adopt key positions
Coming together for their biannual meetings, IRU’s EU passenger and goods transport members adopted key sector positions aimed at reducing pollutant emissions and decarbonising corporate fleets. The European Commission’s proposal on Euro 7 emission standards is on the to-do list of EU legislators.
IRU charts hope on surmountable road transport challenges with trade unions
IRU’s Secretary General has outlined solutions to key challenges facing the road transport sector at the global road transport trade union conference held in Johannesburg, South Africa. Starting with the Covid-19 pandemic, several crises have struck the road transport industry in recent years, leading to supply chain instabilities and exacerbating other long-standing challenges, such as excessive border queues.