02/07/24 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday, 2 July, the European Commission announced it had approved a Portuguese State aid scheme—with a total budget of €45 million over a five-year period (the maximum annual budget will be €9 million)—that is designed to encourage transferring freight transport from road to rail. The latter mode of transport boasts better environmental performance. The aid is aimed at railway undertakings that have been authorised by the Portuguese Mobility and Transport Agency to provide rail freight services on the existing public rail infrastructure in Portugal. These companies will receive aid in the form of direct grants, which will be available until 2029. The European Commission found that the scheme was in compliance with Article 93 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the Guidelines on State aid for railway undertakings in particular. (EV)