The compromise amendments to the revision of directive 92/106/ EEC governing combined goods transport upon which MEPs at the European parliament's transport committee are gearing up to vote on this Tuesday 10 July suggest an application of cabotage rules for international and domestic combined transport operations by road.
This question of cabotage is one of the major political points in the revision of this text as revealed by the debates in Parliament and Council of the EU working parties (see EUROPE 11952, 12024). This question pits the majority of representatives from western and Scandinavian European countries against those from central and eastern Europe, which are in favour of unrestricted operations. Although the former Bulgarian Presidency of the Council did not intend to return to article 4 of the current directive, exempting international combined transport operations between member states from the application of cabotage rules on the initial/final road leg, MEPs are expected to go in the opposite direction.
The compromise on the subject suggests that cabotage rules apply to international and domestic combined transport, which the Commission had not envisaged in its proposal on 8 November last (see EUROPE 11900). Similarly, the negotiators agreed on an application of the rules on postings to lorry drivers as part of combined transport operations, in compliance with the initial position of the rapporteur, Daniela Aiuto (EFDD, Italy) (see EUROPE 11991). These points are, however, going to be linked to the highly difficult and sensitive negotiations on the social aspects of the first mobility package (see EUROPE 12036, 12055). The absence of an agreement on these points now makes the application of various rules uncertain.
At the technical level, the compromises suggest that a road journey located outside of the Union cannot be considered as part of a road leg in combined transport. Following on from the most recent compromise presented during the working group by the former Bulgarian Presidency of the Council, the agreement suggests setting a maximum threshold authorised by the road leg of transport for operations covered by combined transport of just 150 km and therefore removes the 20% alternative as the crow flies proposed by the Commission.
Negotiators also want to make it mandatory that the member states take measures to support investment in transport terminals and transhipment points. Although the Commission proposes that the measures to improve the competitiveness of combined transport operations are voluntary, MEPs appeared to support requirements in this connection with regard to the national authorities.
Finally, a last compromise suggesting changes to the directive with regard to EU legal rules on state aid that to a certain extent backed combined transport support measures was not notified to the Commission.
Although the major political groups may be divided on the points on cabotage and the social aspects, one parliamentary source explained that the compromises are expected to be voted for without too much difficulty. Ms Aiuto also stated during Parliament's transport committee debate on Monday 9 July that she hoped to obtain a “large majority” as a means of sending “a positive message” to the sector. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)