EU Transport Ministers met in Luxembourg yesterday and agreed to a General Approach on the proposal on electronic freight transport information, which the Commission presented in May 2018 as part of the ‘Europe on the Move III’ proposal for a safe, clean and efficient mobility. Through this agreement, the transport sector will profit from less administrative burden and easier digital information flows.

The regulation will establish a harmonised, predictable and trusted environment for electronic communication between operators transporting goods and relevant authorities.

Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc said: “I am very happy that Ministers agreed on a General Approach on electronic freight transport information. This will very substantially contribute to digitalise logistics, saving up to 102 million work hours currently spent each year on paper documents management, and is an important step for our ‘Vision Zero Paper’ in transport. I look forward to finding a swift agreement with the Parliament and Council.”

Also during yesterday’s Transport Council, progress reports were adopted concerning files of streamlining Trans-European transport Networks (TEN-T), use of hired goods vehicles, Eurovignettes and rail passenger rights. Additionally, Ministers discussed capacity issues and delays in aviation, and adopted the proposal to simplify and update requirements on seafarers’ training and certification. In the margins of the Council, a working lunch and Joint Ministerial session between the EU28 and Eastern Partnership countries took place, which resulted in the adoption of a joint declaration.

More information is available here.

Source: The European Commission