EU Parliament’s transport committee backs Eurovignette deal

Photo: jhenning/pixabay

A compromise agreement on a reform of EU road charging rules survived a vote in the European Parliament’s transport and tourism committee on Monday. The so-called Eurovignette reform links charges to vehicle CO₂ emissions and introduces a shift from time-based road charges to distance-based tolls. The compromise agreement reached last month aimed to reconcile the divergent positions of the Council and Parliament: MEPs fought for a shift to distance-based tolls and wanted the revenues to be earmarked for transport projects, while EU countries insisted that it should be up to national authorities to design their charging systems and budget the revenues.

The compromise text phases out time-based charges for trucks and earmarks revenues from voluntary congestion charges for solving congestion problems. To ensure equal treatment and fair competition, the new rules will be extended not only to buses, but also to lighter vehicles, such as, vans, minibuses and passenger cars. EU countries choosing to charge these vehicles will be able to use toll or vignettes systems. Find an in-depth explanation here (external link).

New Container Bridge at Andernach port

Managing Director L. Hörning and Mayor A. Hütten with staff. Photo: Hafen Andernach/ Meta Welling

The port of Andernach at the Middle Rhine near Koblenz celebrates the expansion of its container operations: The second container bridge has been installed these days. Andernach is a regional tri-modal hub with a turnover of 3 million tons of cargo, including 130,000 TEU. Find the news here (external link).

German states support land sourcing of electricity

Energy pole at Duisport ©innogy eMobility Solutions

The German federal government supports installation of land sourcing facilities for electricity in inland ports. A precondition is participation of the respective federal state in which the port is located. These days, Baden-Württemberg at the Upper Rhine and Rhineland-Palatinate at the Middle Rhine have set up the necessary support programs. North Rhine-Westphalia at the Lower Rhine is expected to follow soon. The federal and state co-financing will add up to 80% of planning and investment costs. Find the news here (external link).