This Week in Freight & Ports — Brussels (#16, 2026)
Commission adopts crisis State aid for transport; New rules on forced labour in supply chains; Market stability reserve revision for ETS2; IMO shipping emissions talks.
April 26, 2026 to May 02, 2026
Commission adopts crisis State aid for transport; New rules on forced labour in supply chains; Market stability reserve revision for ETS2; IMO shipping emissions talks.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🏛️ European Parliament
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN): On May 05, the European Parliament's Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Amending Directive 1999/62/EC, Council Directive 1999/37/EC and Directive (EU) 2019/520 as regards the CO2 emission class of heavy-duty vehicles with trailers; Amending Directive 2014/45/EU on periodic roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers and Directive 2014/47/EU on the technical roadside inspection of the roadworthiness of commercial vehicles circulating in the Union.
- Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN): On May 06, 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.
European Commission
Commission adopts temporary State aid framework for sectors affected by Middle East crisis
The European Commission adopted the Middle East crisis Temporary State aid Framework (METSAF) on 28 April 2026 to support sectors including transport, agriculture, and energy-intensive industries. The framework enables Member States to compensate up to 70% of extra costs related to fuel and fertiliser price increases, with the support calibrated through simplified methods for smaller operators. For land transport, road, rail, and inland waterway operators, this allows both direct compensation based on consumption and a simplified flat-rate approach of up to €50,000 per beneficiary. METSAF, effective until 31 December 2026, also temporarily adjusts the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework, raising aid intensity for eligible energy costs. The Commission will expedite approval procedures, with measures subject to notification and compliance with Article 107(2)(b) TFEU. METSAF complements existing sectoral State aid options for transport, including the General Block Exemption Regulation and guidelines for rail and maritime transport.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/903: Information system for forced labour prohibition
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/903, published on 27 April 2026 (CELEX: 32026R0903), details the functionalities of the information and communication system used under Regulation (EU) 2024/3015 on prohibiting products made with forced labour. The regulation establishes the ICSMS forced labour module for communication and enforcement between the Commission, competent Member State authorities, and customs authorities. It sets retention periods for personal data and protocols for sharing information on investigations, decisions, and withdrawal orders related to forced labour in supply chains. The system is designed to facilitate risk-based assessments and the exchange of enforcement actions for goods entering or leaving the EU market.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/907: Updated reporting for road transport social rules
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/907 of 27 April 2026 (CELEX: 32026D0907) revises the standard form for Member State reporting under Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 on driving time, breaks, and rest periods in road transport. The new form consolidates reporting obligations, including temporary driver cards, working time checks, and undertakings’ risk ratings, and aligns with amendments introduced by Regulation (EU) 2020/1054 and Directive (EU) 2020/1057. It replaces Decision (EU) 2017/1013 and will apply from the 2027-2028 reporting cycle, supporting harmonised enforcement across the EU.
European Parliament
Parliament adopts position on market stability reserve for ETS2
On 29 April 2026, the European Parliament adopted its position on amending Decision (EU) 2015/1814 concerning the market stability reserve for the new emissions trading system for buildings, road transport, and additional sectors (ETS2). Rapporteur Danuše Nerudová led the report, which proposes faster intervention on allowance releases and phased cancellation of unused allowances. Parliament also called for a review of the €45 per tonne CO2 cap and a comprehensive assessment of the scheme's social and climate impacts.
Parliament votes on Generalised Scheme of Preferences regulation
On 28 April 2026, Parliament voted on the regulation to apply a new Generalised Scheme of Tariff Preferences, repealing Regulation (EU) No 978/2012. The report, by Bernd Lange (A9-0147/2022), covers trade preferences for developing countries and updates procedures for eligibility and graduation.
EU Council
Informal meeting of transport ministers
Transport ministers met informally on 28 April 2026 under the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council configuration to discuss sectoral matters.
EP Committee Work
ETS2 market stability reserve revision: ENVI Committee press release
On 29 April 2026, the ENVI Committee issued a press release summarising Parliament’s adopted position on the market stability reserve for ETS2. The statement details the timeline for allowance releases, cancellation mechanisms, and proposed support for households affected by the scheme. Rapporteur Danuše Nerudová (EPP, Czechia) outlined measures to maintain the €45 cap and called for a strengthened social climate fund.
