PRESS RELEASE | 2 December 2022

INTERNATIONAL ROAD HAULAGE ACCESS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM 

The UK will be amending domestic legislation shortly to fully implement some of the international road transport provisions in the EU-UK. Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), particularly in the area of international road haulage access to the UK for operators based in EU Member States. This change will come into effect at the beginning of 2023.

To reflect the access rights covered in the TCA, the UK is removing from domestic legislation:
a) the right of operators based in EU Member States to conduct cabotage movements when entering the UK unladen;
b) the right of operators based in EU Member States to conduct combined transport (i.e., certain types of intermodal transport where goods are transported in the same loading unit or vehicle using two or more modes of transport);
c) the right of operators based in EU Member States to pick up goods in the UK and then go to a non-EU country to drop off those goods (known as “triangular traffic”) through the use of a Community Licence.

The UK has decided to remove these rights in the context that the TCA does not offer equivalent rights on a reciprocal basis to UK hauliers operating in EU territory.
Operators based in EU Member States can still conduct triangular traffic journeys without these rights, but they will need to hold a permit issued by the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT). ECMT permits support UK operators making similar triangular traffic movements between EU States and other countries.

Official Letter International Road Haulage access to the United Kingdom

 

PRESS RELEASE | 1 June 2022

BELARUSIAN AND RUSSIAN ROAD TRANSPORT UNDERTAKINGS DONT'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE DUTCH TERRITORY

Based on the 5th sanction package, no road transport of Belarusian or Russian road transport undertakings is allowed on EU territory unless a Member State allows one or more exceptions. The Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, as the competent authority in this matter, has taken the decision not to allow any exceptions for Russian and Belarusian road transport companies on Dutch territory. The Ministry will of course continue to follow the developments on this issue in the neighbouring countries and within the European Commission.

PRESS RELEASE | 8 April 2022

EU ADOPTS FIFTH ROUND OF SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSUA OVER ITS MILITARY AGGRESSION AGAINST UKRAINE

In light of Russia’s continuing war of aggression against Ukraine, and the reported atrocities committed by Russian armed forces in Ukraine, the Council decided today to impose a fifth package of economic and individual sanctions against Russia.

The agreed package includes a series of measures intended to reinforce pressure on the Russian government and economy, and to limit the Kremlin’s resources for the aggression.

EU adopts fifth round of sanctions

PRESS RELEASE | 22 March 2022

EU STANDS WITH UKRAINE – TRANSPORT MEASURES

In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU stands in solidarity with Ukraine. The EU is acting swiftly and decisively to put an end to Russia’s aggression by imposing wide-ranging Sanctions and measures. In parallel, it is supporting the Ukrainian people by providing financial, military and humanitarian assistance.

This page collects information on transport measures.

Website EU stands with Ukraine

 

PRESS RELEASE | 13 January 2022

Luxembourg will introduce on 15 January 2022 a new rule to fight the spreading of the coronavirus: “3G” at the work place. It will be similar to an existing rule in Germany. Any worker, employed or self-employed, must be either vaccinated, cured or tested (in Luxembourgish: geimpft, genesen, getest, hence “3G”) to be allowed access to their workplace.

Regarding HGV drivers, there will be some significant differences compared to the rule in Germany:

• In Luxembourg, the “3G” rule does apply to HGV drivers, in general.

BUT:

• The “3G” rule does not apply to drivers in transit through Luxembourg.
• It was also decided that the “3G” rule does not apply to drivers of foreign transport companies coming to Luxembourg to unload/load and then leave again the country (no time limit, so the driver can spend his daily/weekly rest in Luxembourg).

Exception:

• The “3G” rule applies to drivers of foreign transport companies if they are carrying out cabotage operations in Luxembourg. In this case, the foreign haulier is responsible for his driver the same way as a Luxembourgish haulier.

In short: the “3G” rule does not apply to HGV drivers of foreign transport companies, except for cabotage operations.

I include a FAQ (in French and English) regarding the “3G” rule for HGV drivers, which serves as guidance for hauliers.

IMPORTANT: as some companies might decide to impose the “3G” rule on their premises also for external persons, any haulier coming to Luxembourg should contact beforehand the companies where they intend to load/unload in order to avoid any surprises.

FAQ 3G Luxembourg

 

PRESS RELEASE | 28 October 2021

Consultation outcome UK
Temporary extension to road haulage cabotage

Following consultation, UK have decided to:

1. Temporarily extend road haulage cabotage until 30 April 2022.
2. Allow unlimited cabotage movements of heavy good vehicles within Great Britain for up to 14 days after arriving in the United Kingdom on a laden international journey.

These changes will come into force on 28 October 2021.

Official letter UK

Full outcome consultation

 

PRESS RELEASE | 27 September 2021

Notification of changes of access to the UK for EU Road Transport Operators

Third country transport

The UK will be discontinuing the access rights of EU operators into and out of the UK
(other than via the ECMT system) for goods transports between the UK and non-EU
States, through regulations implementing the Agreement. The changes are still
dependent on UK parliamentary procedures, but it is the Department’s intention that the
changes will be effective across Great Britain at 1st January 2022. From this date, EU
operators will require an ECMT permit for such transports, which they were previously
able to be made with a Community Licence alone. The UK is allowing these transports to
continue using a Community Licence for the rest of 2021.

Cabotage

In respect of cabotage rights, the UK has already reduced the number of transports
permitted by EU operators within the UK within 7 days of a laden entry from 3 to 2. This
is further to the Agreement and this requirement is being enforced. The same further
regulations planned to be in force in Great Britain at 1st January 2022 will also terminate
the allowances of one cabotage transport within 3 days of an unladen entry and access
rights for journey legs within the UK related to combined transport. The UK is allowing
these transports to continue using a Community Licence for the rest of 2021.

UK Letter - EU state members

 

PRESS RELEASE | 17 May 2021

ITF Transport Outlook 2021

The ITF Transport Outlook 2021 provides scenarios for the development of transport demand up to 2050. It also models transport decarbonisation scenarios and their impacts on climate change. Based on this, the ITF Transport Outlook 2021 identifies decisions that policy makers will need to take to ensure a transition to sustainable mobility that is effective as well as equitable. This edition includes a special focus on the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on transport systems, and models potential long-term changes with challenges and opportunities for decarbonisation.

ITF Transport Outlook 2021

 

PRESS RELEASE | 28 April 2021

Parliament formally approves EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement

Parliament voted with a large majority in favour of granting its consent to the agreement setting the rules of the future EU-UK relationship.The consent decision was adopted by 660 votes for, five against and 32 abstentions, while the accompanying resolution, setting out Parliament’s evaluation of and expectations from the deal, passed by 578 votes, with 51 against and 68 abstentions. The vote took place on Tuesday, with results announced on Wednesday.

On 24 December 2020, EU and UK negotiators had agreed on the Trade and Cooperation Agreement establishing the terms for future EU-UK cooperation. To minimise disruption, the agreement has been provisionally applied since 1 January 2021. Parliament's consent is necessary for the agreement to enter into force permanently before its lapse on 30 April 2021.

Brexit now officially completed 

 

PRESS RELEASE | 3 March 2021

Notification from Denmark.

New rules applying to carrying out freight cabotage, bus cabotage and the road leg of combined transport in Denmark as of 1 January 2021.

As of 1 January 2021, the rules for remuneration of posted drivers must be applied when companies carry out cabotage with goods where the total permissible weight of the motor vehicle or lorr exceeds 3,50 kg, bus cabotage or the road leg of combined transport in Denmark.

More information rules for remuneration

 

PRESS RELEASE | 19 February 2021

Mobility Package I: European Commission publishes study results

The European Commission today published the results of two studies it commissioned to assess the expected impacts of two specific aspects of Mobility Package I, adopted on 15 July 2020.

These two requirements – the compulsory return of the vehicle to the Member State of establishment every eight weeks and the application of cabotage quotas on international combined transport operations – were introduced by the European Parliament and the Council, and were not part of the Commission's proposals.

During the negotiations on the Package, the Commission made a Declaration concerning these two aspects, expressing concern that they run counter to the ambitions of the European Green Deal. The two provisions had not been subject to an impact assessment prior to adoption of the Package by the co-legislators, and the Commission therefore committed to proceed with a close assessment of their likely climate, environmental, and single market impact. The two studies were undertaken by independent consultants, and have now been finalised. The Commission has shared the results with the Member States and the European Parliament, and those interested can find both studies below.

Mobility Package 1: Study result read more

 

PRESS RELEASE | 2 February 2021

Use of BIREG in Hungary is compulsory.

Hungary has introduced an electronic registration system called BIREG. This system is checking the legal use of bilateral and multilateral permits required for professional road transport of goods. Hungary makes this system compulsory for, among other things, professional road transport of goods, cabotage and transport on own account with vehicles with a permissible laden mass above 3,5 tonnes which is carried out with a bilateral authorization, a community licence or ECMT licence.
Using the following link you find the original letter of the Hungarian Authorities and more information how the register to the BIREG-system.

More information BIREG system 

 

PRESS RELEASE | 27 January 2021

From Wednesday January 27, until March 1, only essential journeys to and from Belgium are possible. Professional reasons such as professional road transport of goods, are identified as essential. To prove your professional reason you have to fill in a special form. To obtain the special form use the link. 

Form for travelling to Belgium