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DECLARATION 2019 - 2024

The Alliance for European Logistics (AEL) represents a “one-of-a-kind” industry value-chain. With the transport sector at large accounting for 7% of the EU’s GDP and 5% of total EU jobs, logistics make fundamental contributions to the competitiveness, efficiency and sustainability of European business. AEL brings together companies that both provide and use logistics services in Europe. Through dialogue with EU policymakers, we promote an integrated, long-term strategy for the logistics sector, driving sustainability, innovation and best practices exchanges towards a world-class supply chain.

Logistics is the backbone of the EU’s economy: moving goods, connecting people

 

The logistics industry is the backbone of the EU’s economic competitiveness: we move Europe, connect the world, and drive decarbonisation throughout the value chain.

WE MOVE EUROPE

Efficient logistics enable European industry to compete and expand at regional, national, European and global level. With the right legislative framework and infrastructures, the sector can seamlessly connect the EU internal market while making global trade possible. To achieve this, we ask the EU to:

  • Maintain its focus on the completion and enforcement of the EU transport internal market, by supporting clean, connected and efficient logistics infrastructure development.

  • Recognise flexibility and efficiency across all modes of transport.

  • Promote a “logistics curriculum” in Member States to address the shortage of skilled workers in the logistics industry, while ensuring appropriate labour protection.

  • Continue to pursue the conclusion of open and liberal Free Trade Agreements with third countries, enabling European industry to compete abroad.

  • Promote the conclusion of a withdrawal agreement with the UK, including a transition period which guarantees a status quo until at least end of 2020. Beyond this, support a future relationship that facilitates border procedures and strengthens transportation links.

WE CARE ABOUT EUROPEAN CITIZENS

We take our commitment to lowering emissions across the logistics supply chains extremely seriously.  Urban logistics as we conceive it, and coupled with the development of smart cities, will largely contribute to improving European cities’ air quality. To fully exploit the sector’s potential, we ask the EU to:

  • Draw up an EU decarbonisation master plan to integrate and coordinate all initiatives taken at local and regional levels, tailoring solutions to the transport modes considered.

  • Address air quality at large as it is the other side of the decarbonisation coin.

  • Achieve a better balance between setting greenhouse gas emission targets and resource efficiency targets as well as foster and support scientific research for developing new and carbon-free energy sources.

WE CONNECT THE WORLD

The logistics sector provides access for people and business across the globe to innovative goods and services.

 

While transport infrastructure remains crucial, timely and effective data exchange between shippers, handlers, national authorities and final customers enables a more efficient and better connected supply chain, and should be facilitated at all levels (regional, European and international).

 

To accompany these evolutions, we ask the EU to:

  • Develop an ambitious framework incentivising data-sharing and systems interoperability among all supply chain players and national authorities to support new business models.

  • Remove existing barriers to digitalisation to allow the roll-out of paperless digital solutions with strengthened cyber security provisions, and provide additional funding for innovative business models.

  • Reduce red tape and regulatory burdens in customs and ensure effective customs management policies.

  • Adopt a risk-based approach to supply chain security.

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