Download Freight transport in Europe: new Commission initiatives

IP/07/1550
Brussels, 18 October 2007
Freight transport in Europe: new Commission
initiatives aimed at achieving greater efficiency and
sustainability
The European Commission today adopted a series of initiatives aimed at
making freight transport in the EU more efficient and sustainable. This new
package of measures consists of proposals concerning logistics, a rail
network giving priority to freight, and European ports, as well as two
documents on the barrier-free European maritime transport area and the
motorways of the sea. The simultaneous adoption of all these measures
gives a strong signal demonstrating the close links between logistics and the
various modes of transport. The common objective of these initiatives is to
promote innovative infrastructure technologies and practices, develop
means of transport, improve freight management, facilitate the construction
of freight transport chains, simplify administrative procedures and enhance
quality throughout the logistic chain.
"Europe needs efficient, integrated transport alternatives that are both environmentfriendly and user-friendly. The measures which I have presented today will also
make rail, maritime and inland waterway transport more attractive and more
competitive in the context of co-modality", said Jacques Barrot, Commission VicePresident with special responsibility for transport. "The integration of these modes of
transport into efficient logistic chains is essential in order to reconcile the economic
efficiency and long-term development of transport".
On the basis of the findings of a wide-ranging consultation starting in the summer of
2006, the logistics action plan proposes 30 or so measures aimed at making freight
transport in the EU more efficient and sustainable, while reducing costs and saving
both time and energy. The action plan aims to improve the flow of information
accompanying the physical transport of goods, simplify administrative procedures,
improve the competence and attractiveness of the logistics sector, and encourage
high-quality services. It also advocates innovation in logistics in the urban
environment and in long-distance transport concentred in "green corridors".1
1
Green corridors use different modes of transport in combination for an integrated,
energy-efficient door-to-door service that respects the environment and the quality of life
of Europeans.
The Commission is promoting maritime transport, which remains the mode that is the
most environment-friendly and energy-efficient in terms of greenhouse-gas
emissions. The simplification of administrative procedures for maritime transport
within the EU is essential in order to make this mode of transport more attractive.
The documents on the European maritime transport area and the motorways of the
sea2 demonstrate the progress made with the preparation of these two initiatives and
invite all stakeholders to give their opinions. The communication on European ports
policy is aimed at facilitating the development of an efficient port system in Europe
that will be capable of meeting current and future transport needs. It sets out an
action plan for the Commission to help European ports address challenges such as
the increase in transport demand, technological changes and the need to reduce
emissions.
Given the steady increase in the efficiency of road transport, rail transport also needs
to become more competitive. The Commission’s objective is to promote the creation
of a European freight network on which freight transport could offer a better quality of
service in terms of journey times, reliability and capacity. To supplement the
measures already taken (such as the deployment of ERTMS3 on routes identified as
having priority or the construction of major infrastructures for the trans-European
transport network), the Commission is proposing new initiatives with a view to
creating a European freight-orientated network in which the service will be more
reliable and more efficient than at present.
Freight transport is essential for the competitiveness of the European economy and
for the quality of life of EU citizens. It is estimated that the volumes of goods
transported in Europe will increase by 50% between 2000 and 2020. In the years
ahead, freight transport must address the challenges of efficiency, quality and
sustainability. It will therefore need to come up with suitable responses to the
problems of congestion, climate change (freight transport is responsible for one third
of the CO2 emissions arising from transport4), and energy supply and security. At the
same time, the new information and communication technologies and the influence
of European freight transport on the global market offer major opportunities for the
future.
For more information on freight transport in Europe:
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/logistics/index_en.htm
Info Clip:
http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/annonce/template_en.cfm?prodid=2468
2
These major maritime routes between EU Member States offer the possibility of highquality scheduled services which, combined with other modes of transport, guarantee
shorter and quicker access to certain outlying regions in Europe and make it possible to
avoid natural barriers such as the Alps and Pyrenees. The motorways of the sea play an
important role in restructuring long-distance freight transport in Europe and improving its
sustainability.
3
The purpose of ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) is to overcome the
fragmentation of rail traffic control systems in Europe and develop safe, free-flowing rail
traffic.
4
Transport accounts for one quarter of all CO2 emissions.