Multimodal and Combined Freight Transport: Implementation Appraisal

Council Directive 92/106/EEC lays down rules applicable to combined transport of goods. Various resources show that there are currently several challenges linked with the implementation of the directive. These include, for instance, a broad and ambiguous definition of combined transport, outdated provisions of the directive, the need to align these provisions with the new economic reality and a need for a unified combined transport document. These challenges influence harmonisation of combined freight transport and limit the fulfilment of the directive's goals. The European Parliament has called on the European Commission to update the directive to respond to these challenges. Similar recommendations have come from the European Economic and Social Committee and from representatives of various stakeholder groups. Finally, the European Commission itself has expressed its intention to revise the directive as part of the enhancement of the social legislation in the area of road transport. It is expected that the European Commission will submit this proposal in the fourth quarter of 2017.