This Week in Freight & Ports — Brussels (#14, 2026)
Committee adopts ETS2 MSR report; draft opinions on 2028-2034 cohesion and transport funds; progress on CEF 2028-2034 opinions; Council transport ministers discuss fuel price volatility.
April 12, 2026 to April 18, 2026
Committee adopts ETS2 MSR report; draft opinions on 2028-2034 cohesion and transport funds; progress on CEF 2028-2034 opinions; Council transport ministers discuss fuel price volatility.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Informal video conference of transport ministers: On April 21, the EU Council's Informal video conference of transport ministers configuration is scheduled to hold an informal meeting ministerial meeting in Brussels.
EU Council
Transport ministers address coordinated crisis response
At the informal video conference of transport ministers on 21 April 2026, the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council discussed the need for a coordinated response to the current crisis. Ministers focused on measures to address fuel price volatility and strengthen resilience in the transport sector.
EP Committee Work
ENVI Committee adopts report on ETS2 market stability reserve
The Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) adopted its report on the Commission proposal (COM(2025)0738) to amend the market stability reserve (MSR) for the new emissions trading system for buildings and road transport (ETS2) by 58 votes to 9, with 9 abstentions. Rapporteur Danuše Nerudová (EPP, Czechia) led the report, which supports faster release of allowances when prices spike and a gradual cancellation of unused MSR allowances from 2034. The committee proposes the Commission assess extending the €45/tCO2 price cap beyond 2029, index it to 2026 prices, and conduct a comprehensive impact assessment of ETS2’s social and climate effects. The revision is scheduled for a plenary mandate in April 2026.
www.europarl.europa.eu | www.europarl.europa.eu
REGI Committee considers Connecting Europe Facility 2028-2034
The Committee on Regional Development (REGI) held an ordinary meeting on 14 April 2026, including consideration of a draft opinion on the proposal for a regulation establishing the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for 2028-2034 (COM(2025)0547). Rapporteur Antonella Sberna (ECR) presented amendments addressing cross-border connectivity, urban nodes, and dual-use infrastructure. The opinion calls for continued support to projects in disadvantaged, rural, and border regions, involvement of local and regional authorities, and prioritisation of TEN-T completion. The committee adopted the opinion on 16 April 2026.
www.europarl.europa.eu | www.europarl.europa.eu
SEDE Committee opinion: CEF 2028-2034 should prioritise military mobility
On 17 April 2026, the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) adopted its opinion on the proposal for a regulation establishing the Connecting Europe Facility for 2028-2034 (COM(2025)0547). Rapporteur Petras Auštrevičius (Renew) focused on reinforcing military mobility, dual-use corridor development, and resilience of critical infrastructure. The opinion underscores the strategic need to improve transport corridors for defence and support for Ukraine, and includes amendments to strengthen cross-border military logistics.
TRAN Committee draft opinion: cohesion fund must guarantee transport funding
The Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) published a draft opinion on 14 April 2026 concerning the proposal for a regulation establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for 2028-2034 (COM(2025)0565). Rapporteur Rosa Serrano Sierra (S&D) proposed that at least 20% of the fund’s non-CAP envelope be allocated to transport, with a focus on completion of the TEN-T core and extended core networks, support for rural connectivity, and decarbonisation. The draft also advocates earmarking 5% for tourism.
LIBE Committee draft opinion: cohesion fund regulation and subsidiarity
On 15 April 2026, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) published its draft opinion on the proposal for a regulation establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for 2028-2034 (COM(2025)0565). Rapporteur António Tânger Corrêa (ECR) proposed amendments to safeguard subsidiarity, national identities, and legal certainty in the application of horizontal conditionalities related to the rule of law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
What We're Reading This Week
- Solidarity Lanes: Latest figures – January 2026: New data reveal record volumes of Ukrainian agricultural exports transiting through EU Solidarity Lanes in early 2026.
- 'The Strait of Hormuz crisis shows that the seas are no longer spaces of freedom, but territories whose control comes at a price': Rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz highlight the growing contest over maritime dominance and the costs of securing vital waterways.
