This Week in Freight & Ports — Brussels (#12, 2026)
Commission proposes update to ETS Market Stability Reserve; €6bn Italian hydrogen aid approved; new block exemption for sustainable land transport; Council extends EUNAVFOR ASPIDES and ATALANTA mandates.
March 29, 2026 to April 04, 2026
Commission proposes update to ETS Market Stability Reserve; €6bn Italian hydrogen aid approved; new block exemption for sustainable land transport; Council extends EUNAVFOR ASPIDES and ATALANTA mandates.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN): On April 08, the European Parliament's Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; Framework of measures to facilitate the transport of military equipment, goods and personnel across the Union.
- Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN): On April 08, the European Parliament's Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings.
European Commission
Commission proposes amendment to EU ETS Market Stability Reserve
On 31 March 2026, the European Commission announced a proposal to amend the Market Stability Reserve (MSR) under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). The proposal would stop the automatic invalidation of ETS allowances held above 400 million in the MSR, instead retaining them as a buffer to improve market stability. The MSR, operational since 2019, adjusts allowance supply to address structural surplus and restore confidence in the carbon market. This measure follows President von der Leyen's announcement at the March European Council and is intended to strengthen the EU ETS’s capacity to respond to market developments, including supply tightness and price volatility. The update preserves the rules-based design of the MSR and maintains the integrity of the EU ETS as a market-based instrument. The proposal will be submitted to the European Parliament and Council under the ordinary legislative procedure. A comprehensive review of the EU ETS is scheduled for July 2026.
Commission approves €6 billion Italian State aid scheme for renewable hydrogen
On 29 March 2026, the Commission approved a €6 billion Italian State aid scheme to support the production of renewable hydrogen for transport and industrial sectors, under Article 107(3)(c) TFEU and the 2022 Guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy (CEEAG). The scheme targets 200,000 tons of annual renewable hydrogen production, including hydrogen from electrolysis and biogenic sources. Aid will be provided via two-way contracts for difference, based on competitive bidding for strike prices. The scheme runs until 31 December 2029 and aims to facilitate decarbonisation in high-emission sectors. The Commission found the aid necessary, proportionate, and incentivising, outweighing competition concerns, and will publish the decision under case SA.118992.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
New block exemption for State aid in rail, inland waterways and multimodal transport
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/562, published on 30 March 2026, declares certain categories of State aid in the rail, inland waterways and multimodal transport sector compatible with the internal market under Articles 93, 107 and 108 TFEU. The Regulation covers operating and investment aid schemes for sustainable land transport, including freight terminals, railway service facilities, multimodal equipment, and interoperability investments. Aid is exempt from notification if it meets detailed compatibility criteria and thresholds. The Regulation applies until 31 December 2034, aiming to simplify procedures, increase transparency, and facilitate investment in sustainable transport infrastructure and operations.
Commission updates list of aircraft operators in EU ETS
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/784 of 26 March 2026, published on 31 March 2026, updates Regulation (EC) No 748/2009 to revise the list of aircraft operators performing aviation activities under Annex I to Directive 2003/87/EC. The update reflects Eurocontrol data and amends the list every two years, removing operators inactive for four consecutive years. Inclusion in the EU ETS depends on aviation activity rather than list presence.
Citizens’ initiative for climate-friendly transport registered
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/770 of 25 March 2026 registers the European citizens’ initiative 'Fast, convenient, affordable, and above all climate-friendly transportation for all Europeans'. The initiative calls for measures including EU-wide aviation fuel tax, removal of VAT exemptions, and allocation of revenues to a robust European rail organisation. Registration confirms the Commission’s competence to propose legal acts in these areas.
EU Council
Council extends EUNAVFOR ASPIDES and ATALANTA mandates
On 31 March 2026, the Council adopted Decisions (CFSP) 2026/778 and 2026/777, extending the mandates of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES and EUNAVFOR ATALANTA until 28 February 2027. Both operations will expand tasks to include collecting and sharing information on suspicious activities related to critical submarine infrastructures and strengthen cooperation with regional partners.
eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu
Transport ministers discuss coordinated response to fuel price volatility
On 21 April 2026, EU transport ministers held an informal video conference under the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council configuration, focusing on coordinated measures addressing fuel price volatility and transport resilience.
EP Committee Work
JURI draft opinion on European Business Wallets regulation
On 1 April 2026, the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI), with rapporteur Axel Voss, published a draft opinion on the proposal for a regulation establishing European Business Wallets (2025/0358(COD)). The opinion addresses amendments concerning interoperability, SME support, data sovereignty, and timelines for deployment, and recommends alignment with the European Digital Identity framework and technical infrastructure within the Union.
ECON draft opinion on European Fund for 2028-2034
On 30 March 2026, the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON), rapporteur Thomas Bajada, issued a draft opinion on the proposed regulation establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for 2028-2034, amending Regulations (EU) 2023/955 and (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509.
IMCO Committee press release: MEPs advocate sustainable e-commerce after China visit
On 2 April 2026, the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO), led by chair Anna Cavazzini, concluded a delegation visit to China, meeting regulators and e-commerce platforms. Discussions focused on fair competition, product safety, and the impact of parcel imports on the EU single market. The delegation called for equal application of EU digital and consumer safety standards and urged platforms to improve compliance.
What We're Reading This Week
- Container ship declaring French ownership passes through Strait of Hormuz: A container ship under French ownership transits the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing regional maritime tensions.
