ECG — 2023-03-15
News from ECG
ECG - The Association of European Vehicle Logistics has the pleasure to invite its members to its Dinner Debate 2023 entitled 'Who will deliver your next car?' which will take place in less than a week, on 21 March at the European Parliament in Brussels. The event is hosted by MEP Peter Lundgren (ECR Group, Transport & Tourism Committee) who was a truck driver for 30 years.
The global driver shortage is not a new phenomenon, but the situation is now rapidly deteriorating. IRU estimated that the total shortage could top two million by 2026. Raluca Marian, General Delegate of IRU's Permanent Delegation to the European Union, will provide a general overview on driver shortage globally and IRU's proposals to tackle this issue.
On 22 March 2023, the European Commission published its proposal on updated requirements for driving licenses and better cross-border enforcement of road traffic rules which could greatly assist in reducing the strain placed on the road transport industry due to a lack of truck drivers. ECG welcomes this positive move but much more is needed.
The chronic lack of drivers is affecting many businesses, but none more so than the Finished Vehicle Logistics sector. New cars are piling up in ports and compounds across the continent while customers wait for them to be delivered. The debate will be joined, amongst other speakers, by one of our members who operates a large truck fleet as well as a driver who will provide a testimonial on driving car transporters.
ECG Members, many of whom operate truck fleets across Europe, look forward to an open discussion with decision makers on the difficulties of finding drivers to keep their trucks moving and their plans to change the current trends which will otherwise soon see 2 million driver vacancies in Europe.
Our host MEP Peter Lundgren and our industry speakers will take part in a lively debate on the topic with legislators and stakeholders in the surroundings of the European Parliament.