This Week in Freight & Ports — Brussels (#29, 2026)
Commission approves Dutch SAF aid; Ireland authorised for reduced excise duty for commercial transport; CBAM correction regulation; CO2 data for new heavy-duty vehicles published.
July 26, 2026 to August 01, 2026
Commission approves Dutch SAF aid; Ireland authorised for reduced excise duty for commercial transport; CBAM correction regulation; CO2 data for new heavy-duty vehicles published.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission approves €290 million Dutch State aid to support sustainable aviation fuels
The European Commission approved two Dutch State aid schemes totalling €290 million to promote sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). The schemes, notified by the Netherlands, provide investment aid for SAF production and support preparatory works for SAF projects, including engineering design studies. Projects supported are expected to produce approximately 285 kilotonnes of SAF annually, covering both non-HEFA advanced bio-SAF and synthetic aviation fuels ('e-SAF'). The Commission's assessment was conducted under Article 107(3)(c) TFEU, the 2022 Guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy (CEEAG), and the 2025 Clean Industrial Deal State aid Framework. Aid will be awarded transparently on a first-come-first-served basis from 2027 to 2031, with up to five funding rounds. Beneficiaries must comply with EU criteria for renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) and sustainability standards for advanced biofuels. The Commission found the schemes necessary and proportionate, with limited impact on competition and trade, and concluded they would contribute to decarbonisation objectives.
Commission endorses Malta's €60 million Social Climate Plan
The European Commission endorsed Malta's Social Climate Plan, mobilising €60.6 million until 2032—€45.4 million from the EU Social Climate Fund. The Fund, running from 2026 to 2032, combines ETS2 revenues and Member States' contributions and is expected to mobilise at least €86.7 billion across the Union. Malta's plan targets vulnerable households with energy efficiency and renewable upgrades and expands sustainable transport for over 30,000 users. It also supports micro-enterprises with affordable electric mobility and charging infrastructure. The Commission concluded the plan addresses the social impacts of extending GHG emissions trading to buildings and road transport under ETS2. Malta may request a first payment once initial implementation milestones are met.
Commission seeks feedback on proposed amendments to regional State aid guidelines
The European Commission launched a public consultation on amending the Guidelines on regional State aid, aiming to update criteria for regional development and cohesion. The changes reflect the latest socio-economic data for the 2028-2034 period and consider the specific challenges facing EU eastern regions bordering Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. Member States are invited to comment by 30 September 2026, after which the guidelines will be discussed in a multilateral meeting. Adoption is planned by the end of 2026, allowing sufficient time for Member States to prepare and notify new regional aid maps, which will enter into force in 2028. Current regional aid maps are valid through the end of 2027.
Commission greenlights Belgium's fifth payment request for €225 million under NextGenerationEU
The European Commission positively assessed Belgium's fifth payment request for €225 million under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), part of NextGenerationEU. Belgium completed 7 milestones and 12 targets covering clean and digital transition, mobility, energy efficiency, and tax reform. Flagship investments include deploying low-emission buses, reforming vehicle circulation tax in Wallonia, and energy efficiency renovations for housing. The Commission sent its assessment to the Economic and Financial Committee, which has four weeks to opine before payment is approved. To date, €3.86 billion has been paid to Belgium under RRF, representing 73% of allocated funds. The Facility must be closed by end-2026, with all milestones and final payment requests due by September 2026.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1902 authorises Ireland to apply reduced excise duty rates for commercial gas oil
Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1902 of 28 July 2026 permits Ireland to apply reduced excise duty rates on commercial gas oil used as propellant by certain road transport operators, pursuant to Article 19 of Directive 2003/96/EC. In response to exceptional increases in energy prices following geopolitical developments, Ireland may apply rates of 0.25185 EUR per litre until 31 August 2026 and 0.31689 EUR per litre from 1 September to 30 September 2026. The measure, requested by Ireland and reviewed by the Commission, is strictly limited in time and targets relief for road haulage and bus passenger sectors.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1740 corrects CBAM default values in Annexes I and IV
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1740 of 20 July 2026 amends Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2621 by correcting default values and production route indicators in its Annexes I and IV, addressing errors and omissions affecting calculation of free allocation adjustment under CBAM. The changes clarify calculation methods, introduce corrected units, and specify TARIC codes to distinguish goods, aligning the scope with Regulation (EU) 2025/2083. The regulation applies retroactively from 1 January 2026, ensuring legal certainty for CBAM certificate surrender.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1815: Publication of CO2 emissions values for new heavy-duty vehicles
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1815 of 24 July 2026 publishes a list of CO2 emissions values per manufacturer and average specific CO2 emissions for all new heavy-duty vehicles registered in the Union for the reporting period of 2024, pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2019/1242. The scope of CO2 reporting was enlarged by Regulation (EU) 2024/1610, impacting calculation methods for 2024 onwards. The average specific CO2 emissions for new heavy-duty vehicles registered in 2024 is 35.2 g/tkm.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1800 introduces wider frequency channels for safety-related road ITS
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1800 amends Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/1426 to allow for wider 20 MHz frequency channels in the 5.9 GHz band for safety-related applications of road intelligent transport systems. The Decision aligns with recent standardisation developments and responds to CEPT Report 91.
What We're Reading This Week
- Senegal, the new hub for shipping cocaine consumed in Europe: Rising cocaine seizures in Senegal signal the country’s growing role as a key transit point for Europe-bound drugs.
