China's trade body eyes TIR for faster and more secure commerce
The TIR system is primed to elevate the efficiency and security of China’s trade with its neighbours and beyond.
China-Europe TIR workshop explores best practices, green lane benefits
Customs authorities, TIR transport companies and IRU members from China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Uzbekistan came together at a recent TIR workshop to exchange know-how and unlock economic and trade potential.
IRU publishes 2023 annual report
IRU, the world road transport organisation, has published its annual report for 2023, looking at the organisation’s progress and achievements in shaping safe, efficient and sustainable road transport during its 75th anniversary year.
Chinese trucks cross Caspian Sea in Middle Corridor TIR pilot
Three Chinese TIR trucks have successfully completed a pilot project along the Middle Corridor. This marks a significant step forward for Chinese trucking companies exploring long-distance cross-border road transport along crucial trade corridors.
First TIR logistics hub opens in Western China in boost to pan-Asian trade
The first TIR Logistics Hub accredited by IRU has opened in Kashgar, Western China, offering a one-stop-shop for TIR transport companies, customs services and supply chain players.
Greening transport needs a pragmatic approach, IRU tells ministers
Opening the 2024 ITF Summit of Transport Ministers in Leipzig, Germany, IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto has stressed the importance of a pragmatic approach to decarbonising commercial road transport based on proven, available efficiency measures.
Logistics trade bodies call for action on new EU import declarations
Global and European trade associations representing commercial transport have issued an urgent alert to all businesses involved in the movement of goods into or via the EU, Norway, Switzerland or Northern Ireland, by sea, road or rail. The new Import Control System (ICS2) will start to be introduced from June this year.
Austria’s north-south road corridor blockages are illegal, confirms EU
The European Commission has released its official response to a complaint by the Italian government, clearly outlining several breaches of EU law by Austria. As repeatedly stated by the commercial road goods transport sector, several traffic bans imposed by Austria against heavy goods vehicles are hampering the free movement of goods by road through one of the key trade corridors, in breach of EU law.
Asia-Pacific trade forum focuses on sustainable and resilient supply chains
IRU detailed how harmonised tools and digitalisation can significantly enhance the efficiency, security and sustainability of trade at the Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Forum.
Parliament backs EU’s overly ambitious new heavy-duty vehicle CO₂ targets
Despite a last-minute push for technology neutrality, the European Parliament’s plenary vote on CO₂ emission standards for new heavy-duty vehicles fails to recognise other solutions that can play a role in decarbonising the commercial road transport sector.
Smart tachographs in the EU: The Dutch perspective
With the EU’s tachograph retrofitting process underway, we caught up with our member Transport en Logistiek Nederland (TLN) to get their perspective on how the industry is dealing with the new devices and where next for this technology.
Farmer protests: governments must compensate damages
Many farmer protests across Europe have seriously disrupted logistic chains, blocking key routes, attacking trucks and destroying cargo, often with the police as a passive witness. The cost for drivers and transport firms is huge and growing. They need compensation.
Austria makes essential freight traffic captive to skiers
Austria has extended a weekend driving ban during the ski season on one of the EU’s busiest commercial routes, exclusively targeting freight transit operations. This further challenges the principle of the free movement of goods in the EU, just to clear the way for ski lovers. The European Commission must ensure that Austria respects fundamental EU principles.
EU transport committee OKs new CO₂ incentives but ignores proven solutions
IRU welcomes today’s European Parliament Transport Committee vote on vehicle weights and dimensions. They confirmed key CO₂ emission incentives, but, disappointingly, placed additional obstacles against wider use of European Modular System vehicles.
Interoperability: IRU outlines road-rail digitalisation synergies
IRU unpacked road-rail digitalisation opportunities to boost the efficiency and transparency of trade at the European Commission’s “Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity” in Brussels.
North Macedonia’s Best Mobility joins IRU
The Republic of North Macedonia’s national road transport association, Best Mobility NTA, has joined IRU as its newest member.
IMERA: IRU welcomes needed EU deal on crisis management protocol
The European Parliament and Council have reached a provisional agreement on a new crisis coordination framework requiring Member States to be transparent on their crisis measures. This now needs to happen in practice.
IRU urges European Commission to address damaging border waiting times
The road transport sector is strongly concerned that additional border control measures introduced by Bulgaria and Romania to fight irregular migration, in the context of accession to the Schengen area, are having disproportionately negative consequences on goods transport and trade.