Brazil Vice President meets ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½on Bioceanic Corridor, TIR, green logistics
Strengthening Brazil¡¯s logistics, accelerating decarbonisation, and implementing the TIR system were at the heart of a high-level meeting between IRU, NTC&Log¨ªstica and Brazil¡¯s Vice President, Geraldo Alckmin.
Supporting drivers and skills: ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½and UNTRR meet EU Executive VP M?nzatu
As the EU looks to strengthen working conditions, invest in skills, and modernise infrastructure, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½and UNTRR met EU Executive VP Roxana M?nzatu to discuss practical solutions for drivers and operators alike.
Decarbonising EU road transport: Solutions for 2030 and beyond
Road transport operators are beginning to invest in new vehicles. But for the decarbonisation transition to succeed, the sector needs clear, coordinated support. EU policymakers and road transport industry leaders are coming together to debate practical and scalable solutions to deliver environmental and economic benefits at IRU¡¯s high-level event tomorrow in Brussels.
Transport legislators endorse EU driving licence reform
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½welcomes today¡¯s vote by the European Parliament¡¯s Transport and Tourism Committee endorsing the provisional Driving Licence Directive agreement reached during trilogue. This follows recent formal approval by the Council¡¯s Committee of Permanent Representatives, the first of the EU co-legislators to back the deal. The reform responds to long-standing industry calls to address driver shortages and promote the digitalisation of driving licences while upholding high road safety standards.
European road freight rates fall in Q1 2025
The Upply x Ti x ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½European road freight rates index for Europe shows that Q1 2025 contract rates fell by 2.3 points quarter on quarter (q-o-q). Spot rates declined more sharply, 3.8 points q-o-q. However, the spot index was up by 1.6 points, and the contract index rose by 0.4 points, year on year (y-o-y).
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½and ETF call on EU Commissioners to shed light on posted driver pay
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½and the European Transport Workers¡¯ Federation (ETF) have urged European Commission leaders to support the road transport sector by urgently clarifying how EU rules on posted driver pay are applied by Member States.
Germany backs pragmatic road transport decarbonisation
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½welcomes Germany¡¯s coalition agreement as a step forward for a pragmatic and enabling approach to decarbonising commercial road transport. But the lack of concrete support measures for clean fuels alongside zero-emission vehicles is a missed opportunity.
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½welcomes European Commission Roadworthiness Package proposal
The European Commission¡¯s proposal for the revision of the Roadworthiness Package is a timely and necessary step to modernise outdated EU rules. It strikes a positive balance between enhancing road safety and embracing digital solutions, while avoiding unnecessary burdens for commercial road transport operators.
Widening age chasm compounds truck driver shortage crisis: new ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½report
IRU¡¯s latest global truck driver shortage report is out. While unfilled positions in 2024 were similar to 2023 due to easing transport demand, alarming figures show a widening age chasm between young and older driver employment rates. But salaries and job satisfaction remain high.
EU CO? fine relief welcome, but not enough says IRU
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½welcomes the EU¡¯s targeted amendment introducing flexibility for manufacturers to reach car and van CO? emission reduction targets, but calls for a broader, accelerated revision to support realistic decarbonisation.
Drivers and rules need to be respected
Third-country drivers working in the European Union deserve full respect and support.
Provisional EU Driving Licence deal supports skills and talent attraction
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½welcomes the provisional agreement reached following trilogue negotiations between EU institutions on the revision of the EU Driving Licence Directive. The outcome reflects long-standing priorities of the road transport sector and supports efforts to ensure road safety and alleviate the growing shortage of professional drivers.
EU automotive plans advance but gaps remain for heavy-duty transport
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½welcomes the European Commission¡¯s Industrial Action Plan for the European Automotive Sector, particularly the focus on incentives and better infrastructure access to support commercial road transport operators¡¯ uptake of zero-emission vehicles. However, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½remains deeply concerned about the lack of technology options for road transport ¨C only battery-electric technology is promoted as a clean solution ¨C and the potential purchasing mandates for corporate fleets.
EU needs early technology-neutral CO? review and vehicle incentives
Over 20 organisations have called on the European Commission to conduct an early, technology-neutral revision of the CO? standard regulations, and provide the enabling conditions and incentives needed for a further uptake of clean vehicles.
What the Clean Industrial Deal means for road transport
The Clean Industrial Deal recognises the role of competitiveness in achieving decarbonisation goals. However, it overlooks critical sectors that support manufacturing and provide essential clean mobility services. Ensuring all decarbonisation solutions are implemented in a cost-effective manner is equally essential.
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½urges industry-friendly clean transition at EU Strategic Dialogue
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½joined the European Commission and industry leaders at the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the European Automotive Industry today, reinforcing the need for a realistic approach to the clean mobility transition.
Transport sector urges EU to safeguard funding
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½and industry partners have signed an open letter urging EU Member States and the European Commission to preserve and strengthen dedicated European transport funding in the next EU budget. The call comes as discussions intensify on the EU¡¯s Multiannual Financial Framework review, which will shape the bloc¡¯s budget priorities for the coming years.
European road freight rates Q4 2024: Contract and spot rates edge up
The Upply x Ti x ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½European road freight rates index shows that the contract index rose by 2.8 points quarter on quarter (q-o-q) in Q4 2024, while the spot rate index increased by 0.5 points. Year on year (y-o-y), the spot and contract indices are down by 1.0 point and 1.4 points, respectively.
Missed opportunity could harm EU automotive sector strategy
A competitive and green EU automotive sector needs action on both the demand and supply sides. European Commission President von der Leyen has missed a major opportunity in not including commercial road transport operators in kicking off her new strategy today.
Member States reach consensus on grace period for tachograph retrofitting
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½welcomes Member States¡¯ decision reached in the Road Transport Committee to introduce a two-month grace period for the EU¡¯s upcoming legal retrofitting deadline. This provides critical support operators urgently need.
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½joins call to modernise EU customs
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½has joined a coalition of EU trade stakeholders urging a more efficient and harmonised Union Customs Code which would enhance trade facilitation and address existing inefficiencies in customs procedures across the EU.
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½and FIA sign new MoU for a more sustainable and safer road transport
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½and the F¨¦d¨¦ration Internationale de l¡¯Automobile (FIA) have signed a new MoU, refuelling their long-standing commitment to sustainable transport, road safety and cross-border mobility.
EU engages travel and tourism sector on sustainability and resilience
At the European Parliament today, Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) met with travel and tourism industry leaders to advance strategies for enhancing sustainability and resilience within the sector.
Passenger rights: ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½calls on European Parliament to address gaps
The Council of the European Union¡¯s adoption of its general approaches on passenger rights enforcement and multimodal journey regulation marks a significant step forward in safeguarding passengers and supporting operators. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½welcomes, in particular, the clarification of the scope and the realistic extension of reimbursement deadlines. However, critical gaps remain, including the need to consider the unique position of small enterprises and set clearer rules on intermediary liability.
Give EU youth a chance: ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½advocates for opportunities in road transport
The key distinction between young bus and truck drivers and private car drivers lies in the professional nature of their activity. In letters addressed to Council and Parliament negotiators, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½has challenged the misconceptions underpinning the minimum driving age debate during the Driving Licence Directive revision.
IRU, world road transport organisation, elects new leadership for 2025-27
The General Assembly of IRU, the world road transport organisation, has unanimously re-elected Radu Dinescu as President along with new vice presidents and a new Presidential Executive. The 2025-2027 term will mark two significant firsts for women in commercial road transport.
EU must act now on driver shortages to safeguard public transport
IRU, together with two other major transport organisations, has called on EU lawmakers to back critical measures and ensure that EU public transport services remain sustainable and accessible amid a severe shortage of bus and coach drivers.