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IRU brought the voice of commercial road transport operators to POLITICO’s Energy & Climate Forum in Brussels, joining European Commissioners, national policymakers, members of the European Parliament, industry leaders and energy experts in discussions on Europe’s energy, climate and competitiveness agenda.

IRU, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) call for urgent international action to better protect bus and coach drivers in frontal collisions.

As of 5 June 2026, Brent crude is trading around USD 95 a barrel, a 3% reduction since 22 May. However, it has seen great volatility since 28 May, trading between USD 91 and USD 99 a barrel. Here is the latest overview for the road transport sector, including pump prices.

IRU’s General Assembly and transport councils brought together members from around the world to connect, discuss and decide on key issues.

IRU played a prominent role in bridging EU and national policies, as well as policymaker and operator priorities, at Transpotec Logitec and Next Mobility 2026, a major international exhibition and conference for freight transport, logistics and passenger mobility in Milan, Italy.

IRU members have voted to adopt a new Charter for Women in Road Transport. It sets out core principles to increase women’s participation across the industry’s workforce.

IRU members have unanimously adopted a resolution calling for a fuel crisis mechanism and urging governments to work with road transport operators on the development of contingency plans.

IRU, the world road transport organisation, has published its 2025 annual report, outlining key achievements in driving safe, efficient and sustainable road transport across the globe.

On 22 May 2026, Brent crude is trading at around USD 105 a barrel, down 4% from last week. Diesel pump prices have started to ease in several markets, but the European fiscal-cliff calendar is now densely packed into the last week of May and the first week of June. Here is the latest overview for the road transport sector.

The first IRU Academy Accredited Training Institute (ATI) e-meeting of the year brought together more than 45 participants from around 30 countries to discuss the future of professional road transport training, with a strong focus on driver mobility, dangerous goods transport and recent IRU Academy developments.

With transport ministers and leaders gathered in Leipzig for the 2026 International Transport Forum (ITF) Summit, IRU called for practical reform and facilitation measures to strengthen road transport resilience and help the sector respond to growing global disruptions.

On 8 May 2026, Brent crude is trading around USD 100 a barrel, around 20% lower than a week ago. Diesel pump prices in the EU are easing on the back of the crude unwind and five fiscal packages all simultaneously in force for the first time since the war in Iran. Here is the latest overview for the road transport sector.

At the 2026 International Transport Forum (ITF) Summit in Leipzig, IRU’s Secretary General delivered a stark message to ministers and transport leaders: the world has entered a state of permanent crisis mode, and governments must move from discussion to action to help transport systems respond to growing global disruptions.

IRU welcomes the vote of the European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) on the provisional agreement revising the coordination of social security systems at EU level.

On 30 April 2026, Brent crude is trading near USD 126, the highest level since 27 February and up around 18% week on week. The European market is heading into the 1 May Labour Day holiday with a tight cluster of national fiscal policy decisions. Here is the latest overview for the road transport sector.

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 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.

On 24 April 2026, Brent was trading above USD 105 a barrel despite the indefinite extension of the US–Iran ceasefire announced on 21 April. Diesel pump prices in the EU fell week on week, but stabilised over the last few days, marking a halt to the downward trend. Here is the latest overview for the road transport sector.

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.

The trucking industry in North America is grappling with several major challenges, including additional tariffs, stricter rules-of-origin requirements, and rising fuel prices. IRU recently brought together Mexican vehicle makers and US carriers to discuss what keeps them up at night.

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.

BUS2BUS 2026 confirms its role as a key platform for industry and policy dialogue. IRU contributed to the discussions, bringing the EU policy perspective and its implications for operators’ day-to-day operations.

On 17 April 2026, Brent reached USD 98.83 a barrel, up 35% since 27 February, while the week-on-week move was flat at +0.6%. Although huge price gaps remain between countries, EU diesel averaged EUR 2.07 per litre, up 27% cumulatively since the start of the war, down from 33% last week. A similar slight easing of pump prices was also seen in Brazil, Türkiye and the US, but not China. Here is the latest overview for the road transport sector.

IRU and European road transport associations, including IRU members, have released a joint statement ahead of the upcoming court hearing on Austria’s anti-transit measures on the Brenner corridor.

The UK seeks to better integrate coach services into local transport strategies and the wider mobility system, in line with advocacy by IRU member the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT).

Safe and reliable transport is key to unlocking access to education. In Senegal, IRU is helping connect children to opportunity.

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

As of 10 April 2026, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely restricted, with only 5–7 vessels transiting daily versus over 100 pre-war. Brent crude reached USD 97.08 a barrel, down 11.5% from last week's peak of USD 119.24 but still 33% above the pre-war baseline. Here is the latest overview for the road transport sector.

IRU welcomes the European Parliament transport committee’s strong backing of the revised EU vehicle registration rules. This is a major step towards simpler and more efficient procedures for operators.

Fuel accounts for nearly a third of operating costs. With today’s fuel price volatility, daily tracking is essential to protect your margins.

As of 2 April 2026, the energy shortage is worsening across multiple fronts, with diesel bearing the heaviest impact, forcing governments to take action. Here is the latest overview for the road transport sector.

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.

The war is entering its fifth week. A fragile diplomatic window has opened, but with no ceasefire in sight, energy markets remain tense. Here is the latest overview for the road transport sector.

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.