This Week in Freight & Ports — Brussels (#29, 2026)
Commission approves LNG state aid, Lithuania; Euro 7 vehicle battery and brake emissions rules amended; Luxembourg NextGenEU payment advanced; Energy Council meets soon;
September 21, 2026 to September 27, 2026
Commission approves LNG state aid, Lithuania; Euro 7 vehicle battery and brake emissions rules amended; Luxembourg NextGenEU payment advanced; Energy Council meets soon;
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN): On September 28, the European Parliament's Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; A regulatory framework to promote the uptake of sustainable aviation fuels; Chair’s announcements.
European Commission
Commission Decision on Lithuanian LNG Terminal State Aid
The European Commission adopted Decision (EU) 2026/2114 on 7 April 2026 regarding State aid SA.44678 for the LNG Terminal in Lithuania, modifying aid measures originally approved in 2013. The Decision concludes that Lithuania's compensation to Litgas for maintaining the terminal operational during 2016–2018 is compatible with the internal market under Article 106 TFEU and the 2012 SGEI Framework. The Commission assessed the cost allocation methodology used for compensation, noting that Lithuania lacked market maturity and know-how at the time, justifying full coverage of boil-off and balancing costs. The Decision also confirms compliance with public procurement rules and transparency requirements. The measure is found to have minimal distortion effects and was limited in duration. The Decision is addressed to the Republic of Lithuania.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1753 Amending Vehicle Type-Approval Rules
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1753 of 13 July 2026 amends Regulation (EU) 2018/858 concerning environmental performance and emission requirements for vehicles produced in unlimited series and special purpose vehicles. The regulation updates requirements for in-vehicle battery durability, brake particle emissions, electric vehicle system power, and EV range at low temperatures. References to Euro 7 technical acts and UN Regulations Nos 83, 154, 177, and 179 are added for consistency. The amendments apply to vehicles of categories M1, N1, and Euro 7ext, and update the list of UN Regulations recognised for EU type-approval.
Commission Greenlights Luxembourg's Third NextGenerationEU Payment
The European Commission on 24 September 2026 approved Luxembourg's third payment request for €92.2 million under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the main component of NextGenerationEU. Luxembourg has completed all 5 milestones and 4 targets set out in the Council Implementing Decision, including reforms in healthcare, biogas, zero-emission vehicle acquisition, and cross-border quantum key distribution. The Economic and Financial Committee has four weeks to deliver its opinion before the Commission finalises the payment decision.
EU Council
Upcoming Informal Meeting of Energy Ministers
The Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council will convene an informal meeting of energy ministers on 28 September 2026.
What We're Reading This Week
- Surging prices, voters’ anger: France’s fuel crisis hits the campaign: Rising fuel costs are fueling voter frustration and reshaping political dynamics ahead of France’s upcoming elections.
