Solution to Brenner bottleneck continues to elude the EU
With queues reaching 70km, a solution to the Brenner pass bottleneck continues to escape EU governments and authorities. Discussions may no longer be enough; the EU Commission should open its legal toolbox.
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.
IRU outlines role of free zones in building an ecosystem of trust
Free zones offer a unique opportunity to strengthen government-business collaboration and help mitigate trade security and road safety risks.
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.
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.
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.
TIR operations resume at largest China-Mongolia land port
The resumption of TIR in China gains pace, with Erenhot, the largest land port on the China-Mongolia border, having seen its first TIR truck in the post-pandemic era. For the first time since the reopening of China’s borders, TIR trucks have transited through the Zamyn-Uud-Erenhot border crossing, entering China from Mongolia.
First complete TIR operation by Chinese company
Following the reopening of China’s borders, the first ever complete TIR movement by a Chinese company was conducted successfully. A Chinese TIR truck departed from Zhengzhou, the logistics and manufacturing hub in Central China's Henan province, and successfully arrived at its destination, marking the first door-to-door TIR operation by a Chinese operator.
TIR system expedites delivery of humanitarian aid to Türkiye
Pakistani operator National Logistics Cell (NLC) has delivered essential relief items to people impacted by the devastating earthquake in Türkiye. A caravan of 21 trucks operated by NLC, a TIR carrier in Pakistan, transported humanitarian aid – including tents, blankets and other basic aid supplies – to Türkiye.
Iraq can become regional trade hub and boost non-oil sectors with TIR
On the sidelines of the UN’s 85th Inland Transport Committee (ITC) session last week, IRU’s Secretary General and Iraq’s Minister of Transport discussed the country’s highly anticipated accession to the TIR system. The Republic of Iraq, with the support of its Ministry of Transport, has completed all national requirements to join TIR, laying the ground for the final official accession step with the UN.
China TIR movements resume as Covid-19 restrictions lifted
The first TIR movements have taken place as China has lifted its Covid-19 measures and gradually resumed normal operations for international goods movements. Five Kyrgyz TIR trucks carrying e-commerce goods departed from China’s inland city of Kashgar, marking the first TIR movement since the country lifted its Covid-19 restrictions.
IRU in Turkmenistan following border reopening
IRU recently met with Turkmen officials to discuss new measures that would further strengthen the security of goods transport. The road transport industry has warmly welcomed the reopening of Turkmenistan’s borders to international transport and transit. Turkmenistan, which sits in the middle of north-south and east-west connectivity, is looking to introduce additional measures to bolster the security and transparency of transit operations.
Coordination key as earthquake response ramps up
IRU members in Türkiye are spearheading the road transport sector’s response to support emergency rescue efforts in areas devastated by Monday’s tragic earthquake. The Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) and the Turkish International Transporters’ Association (UND) are working night and day to coordinate road transport support to emergency rescue efforts in devastated regions in the east of the country.
Turkic States: private and public partners stir debate on e-CMR
The Organisation of Turkic States (OTS), together with the UN and IRU, has led a workshop on e-CMR, as more countries from the region join the protocol. A recent workshop organised by OTS, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and IRU sought to raise awareness on e-CMR among public and private actors. The participants were also informed of the ongoing discussions at the UNECE’s GE.22, the Group of Experts on the Operationalisation of e-CMR.
Supply chains at risk with new UK clandestine entrant scheme
IRU is concerned about the announced changes to the UK government’s Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalty Scheme for road hauliers, which will enter into force on 13 February 2023, and the potential impact it could have on UK-Europe supply chains.
Athens forum: growing need for investment in Balkan and Black Sea region
The war in Ukraine has shifted surrounding transport routes. Member states of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) are now playing an even bigger role in the region. Investment in both hard and soft solutions are needed to keep up with increasing traffic at already congested border crossings.
Europe needs multimodal freight terminals to build road-rail synergies
During a visit to CFL multimodal in Luxembourg, road and rail representatives focused on Europe’s need for more multimodal freight terminals and how to better foster cooperation between the two modes of transport.
Ukraine: IRU calls on European Commission to ease border jams with TIR
IRU and its member associations from Ukraine and seven neighbouring countries have called on the European Commission to prioritise TIR trucks to ease lengthy border queues and boost goods transport flows between Ukraine and the EU.
TEN-T: IRU and ETF call on EU member states to be more focused on sector
EU road social partners IRU and ETF consider the ongoing revision of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) Regulation to be vital for the EU’s transport system, particularly for the road sector. Member states agreeing to pragmatic and timely solutions will be key.
IRU and China’s CCPIT to strengthen ties and promote east-west connectivity
IRU and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) have held high-level talks to deepen cooperation and promote trade facilitation in China and beyond.
Border issues in focus as North American industry leaders meet in San Diego
IRU’s 2022 North American Transportation Forum (NATF) Leadership Dialogue has brought together senior executives from road transportation companies from Canada, Mexico and the US.
Iran and IRU focus on further expanding transit and trade
In light of Iran’s growing role in regional trade, IRU and Iran’s private and public sectors held high-level talks this week on avenues for further expansion.
FedEx Express joins move to TIR in GCC region
FedEx Express has successfully concluded its first TIR operation in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
African states are poised to benefit from harmonised UN tools
African states are taking the necessary steps needed to improve regional trade, but more obstacles remain ahead. IRU and regional actors discussed proven UN solutions to transport and trade challenges facing the continent.