This Week in Freight & Ports — Brussels (#30, 2026)
Libya maritime sanctions: vessel added; Netherlands rail ERTMS exemption approved; animal disease rule changes for equine and ungulate movements.
August 02, 2026 to August 08, 2026
Libya maritime sanctions: vessel added; Netherlands rail ERTMS exemption approved; animal disease rule changes for equine and ungulate movements.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/795: Animal health movement measures
On 7 August 2026, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/795 amended Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688, aligning and simplifying rules on animal health requirements for movements of terrestrial animals within the Union. The regulation addresses infection control for bluetongue virus (serotypes 1-24) and epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, and updates derogations for the movement of registered equine animals, including provisions for cross-border transits without full animal health certification when passing through other member states. The amendments apply from 1 November 2026 and are based on recent changes to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882 by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/169.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1941: Libya vessel sanctions list update
Published on 7 August 2026, this implementing regulation amends Council Regulation (EU) 2016/44, which establishes restrictive measures regarding Libya. Following a United Nations Security Council decision on 22 July 2026, Annex V of the regulation is updated to include an additional vessel subject to prohibitions including loading, transporting, or discharging Libyan crude oil, entering EU ports, and conducting related financial transactions. The update entered into force immediately.
EU Council
Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2026/1938: Update on Libya restrictive measures
On 7 August 2026, the Council adopted Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2026/1938, adding one vessel to the list under Decision (CFSP) 2015/1333 for restrictive measures against Libya.
EP Committee Work
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1909: Dutch rail exemption from ERTMS priority table
On 5 August 2026, the Commission accepted the Netherlands' request for non-application of point 5.10.2.4 of Subset-026, as set by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1695, for 175 VIRM trains. The exemption is based on Article 7(4) of Directive (EU) 2016/797 and addresses the use of Dutch ATB-only signaling on trains whose drivers have not completed ETCS training. The decision, adopted after consultation with the relevant Committee, is effective until 31 December 2032 or until ATB is decommissioned on the Hanzeline, whichever is earlier.
