Newsroom

IRU welcomes the European Commission’s new Temporary Crisis Framework targeting several sectors most affected by the energy crisis, particularly the explicit recognition of the exceptional pressures facing road transport operators. However, Member State action remains key to turning the opportunities created by the framework into real support for the sector.

IRU, the world road transport organisation, and the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), the voice of the chemical industry in the Arabian Gulf, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance safer dangerous goods transport.

IRU welcomes the European Parliament’s adoption of the agreement reached with the Council on the CountEmissionsEU regulation, establishing a common EU approach to emissions calculation for road transport. This marks the effective conclusion of the legislative process.

IRU welcomes the targeted transport measures, calls for clearer contingency planning should supply conditions deteriorate, and expects broader financial support through a separate State aid framework.

EU transport ministers convened today in an informal video conference to assess the impact of developments in the Middle East on the transport sector, marking an important step towards a coordinated EU response to rising fuel costs and market volatility.

The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is entering into full operation across Schengen external borders, marking a new phase in its rollout.

The revised Package Travel Directive updates the definition of package travel and clarifies travellers’ rights while introducing changes that will directly affect how coach services are organised, contracted and reimbursed within package tours.

IRU welcomes the adoption of the EU Talent Pool as a step towards addressing labour shortages, including in road transport, but stresses that it must be accompanied by concrete measures to deliver results.

As the fuel market crisis intensifies across the EU, IRU has urged its transport ministers to take immediate and coordinated EU-level action to keep supply chains moving and protect people’s mobility.

Surging diesel prices and tightening fuel supply are putting EU transport operators under immediate pressure and risk disrupting logistics chains. IRU is calling on the European Commission to urgently coordinate an EU-wide response to stabilise fuel markets and ensure the continued flow of goods.

IRU welcomes the European Commission’s proposal for a regulation on the Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act but warns that the transport dimension, the backbone of EU mobility and industrial supply chains, remains underrepresented.

Coach mobility must be fully integrated into the EU’s future tourism framework if the bloc is to strengthen competitiveness, sustainability and resilience, IRU stressed at high-level discussions in Brussels.

IRU and more than 40 European transport organisations jointly call on EU Member States and the European Commission to allocate at least EUR 100 billion to the next Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funding round under the forthcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

IRU marks the 70th anniversary of the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road (CMR) – a cornerstone of international road transport law.

The chairs of the European Parliament’s political groups decided yesterday to allocate the Greening Corporate Fleets file to both the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) and the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN), overturning an earlier provisional allocation to only ENVI.

The Federative Republic of Brazil has become the 79th contracting party to the United Nations TIR Convention.

The Upply x Ti x IRU Q4 2025 European road freight rates index shows divergence between contract and spot markets. Contract rates climbed to 136.9, a solid 2.6-point increase quarter on quarter (q-o-q), and a 3.1-point rise year on year (y-o-y). Meanwhile, spot rates reached 135.1, advancing modestly by 0.3 points from the previous quarter, but declining 3.3 points compared to the same period last year.

IRU, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and T&E urge the European Commission to ensure continuity of EU funding for heavy-duty vehicle charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, warning that a break in support in 2026–2027 would risk slowing the deployment of zero-emission vehicles.

The European Commission has adopted the EU Automotive Package, a set of legislative initiatives aimed at supporting the decarbonisation of road transport and the competitiveness of the automotive sector.

As the European Commission is expected to present its Automotive Package  tomorrow, as announced, IRU and its partner associations, the European Association for Forwarding, Transport, Logistics and Customs Services (CLECAT), and the European Shippers’ Council (ESC), will bring together leading Members of the European Parliament and industry stakeholders in Strasbourg tomorrow to discuss solutions, showcase progress, and ensure that fleet decarbonisation ambitions are grounded in operational real

The UNFCCC, COP30 Presidency, and Brazilian Ministry of Transport’s joint statement released yesterday at the launch of the UN Decade for Sustainable Transport puts the pivotal role of road transport in achieving COP30 goals and the Decade’s implementation activities firmly in the spotlight. It calls for the implementation of UN transport conventions, international cooperation, and the deployment of skills development tools to accelerate the transition to sustainable practices and technologies.

IRU welcomes the European Commission’s European Grids Package and Energy Highways initiative as an important first step towards modernising the electricity system. But the essential operational enablers for the electrification of commercial road transport are still missing.

IRU and EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas today discussed how upcoming transport measures align with day-to-day operational realities across the sector.

IRU welcomes the Council’s balanced general approach on the roadworthiness package. It aims to align inspections with technological developments, improve road safety, and promote cross-border cooperation and digitalisation in road inspections. However, important improvements are still necessary.

IRU welcomes the Council’s balanced general approach on the Weights and Dimensions Directive and calls for final improvements in the Parliament.

IRU has formally conveyed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen the united and peaceful protest of 5,302 transport operators and shippers from across the EU. They have signed an online petition opposing the Commission’s intention to introduce mandatory zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) purchasing targets.

IRU welcomes the European Commission and High Representative’s new Military Mobility Package and calls for practical civil and military cooperation to keep the EU’s transport network strong and ready.

EU ambassadors have reached a political agreement on revised weights and dimensions rules, a long-awaited step towards more efficient, sustainable and zero-emission road transport.

European road freight contract and spot rates reached around 134 points in Q3 2025, according to Upply–Ti–IRU’s European Road Freight Rate Development Benchmark Report released today.

IRU and FuelsEurope warn that the omission of road transport from the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP) undermines the availability of sustainable fuels.

In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the chemical industry, represented by CEFIC, warns that mandatory zero-emission vehicle quotas risk undermining safety and feasibility for hazardous and sensitive goods.

IRU welcomes the European Parliament’s final approval of the modernised EU driving licence rules. The reform, agreed between EU institutions earlier this year, strengthens road safety and improves access to the profession, in line with IRU priorities.

Four leading European associations representing the road transport, freight forwarding, shipper and cold chain sectors have jointly called on the European Commission to avoid introducing mandatory zero-emission truck demand targets, warning that such measures risk disrupting Europe’s green transition if enabling conditions are not yet in place.

The European Parliament’s vote on the Eurovignette amendment is a clear step in the right direction. However, further work is needed on the new proposal to ensure a fair and effective path to decarbonisation.

IRU acknowledges the Commission’s new proposal on EU tolling rules but underlines that fair and balanced implementation is vital to ensure decarbonisation goals do not come at the expense of road transport operators’ competitiveness and Europe’s supply chains.