Brussels Briefing on Transport – All you need to know for March 2016

Transport emissions are at the core of the EU transport sector’s preoccupations at the moment, with a Commission strategy on decarbonising the sector due in June. With existing tools in the renewable energy directive and the fuel quality directive scheduled to end in 2020, what regime will take their place?

In the meantime, the aviation strategy, put forward back in December 2015, is being scrutinized by MEPs. The EPP group is in charge of the report on drones and the ALDE group is responsible for that of the aviation strategy communication. In other news, the Dutch Presidency is seeking to get a negotiating mandate from member states for new air transport agreements with China, Mexico, Turkey and others.

Now, a Brussels Briefing on Transport would not be a Brussels Briefing on Transport without an update on the long-awaited 4th Railway Package: MEPs are set to cast their votes on the technical pillar of the package on March 14, leaving just the market pillar. The Dutch Presidency is aiming for a full agreement before Easter –so watch this space. In other news, the full parliament will vote on its position on the proposal to liberalise market access to port services and the Commission is set to put forward a new proposal on safety regulations for passenger ships by April.