The European Commission has brought the Combined Transport (CT) Directive back onto its legislative agenda. This directive is notably the only piece of legislation to proceed from an initial package of 25 proposals, indicating its strategic importance for the EU's transport policy.
The CT Directive is designed to encourage the shift of freight from road to more environmentally friendly modes like rail and inland waterways. It achieves this by providing a framework for combined transport operations, which typically involve a road leg for initial and final delivery, with the majority of the journey completed by another mode. The directive aims to offer incentives and establish clearer definitions for these operations, facilitating their growth and adoption across the EU.
For freight forwarders and logistics operators, the revival of the CT Directive could lead to increased opportunities for intermodal solutions. Potential revisions might introduce new subsidies or regulatory benefits for using combined transport, making these options more cost-effective and competitive. This could influence routing decisions, encouraging a greater reliance on rail and inland waterway networks where feasible, and potentially impacting lead times and overall supply chain efficiency. Forwarders should monitor the directive's progress for any changes that could affect operational planning and cost structures.
Further discussions and potential amendments to the directive are expected as it moves through the European legislative process.
