Dear Members,
Under the slogan "Transport continues", ESPO, together with 33 other organizations, have issued a statement highlighting the essential role that transport plays in the pandemic crisis.
“Transport and the supply chain play a crucial role in the supply of essential goods in this critical period. To ensure that transport can continue to operate, the free flow of goods between Member States must be ensured. The contribution of people working in the transport sector and in overcoming this crisis is vital. In times of emergency, ports play an essential role in providing citizens, health services and businesses with the goods and materials they need. European ports take this public responsibility very seriously. We hope that Member States follow the Commission’s recommendations to ensure that goods continue to move in Europe, to the benefit of every EU citizen,” comments Isabelle Ryckbost, Secretary General of ESPO.
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 pandemic, and governments around the world took wide-scale measures to limit the spread of the virus.
The transport sector plays a crucial role in the supply of goods, in particular medicines, medical devices, food and other essential basic products needed to address the crisis. The transport sector is also proving to be an important tool in these times when many European citizens have limited mobility.
The European collective bodies, representing carriers, infrastructure managers, operators, workers in all transport modes and the supply chain, contractors, local and regional authorities, logistics service providers, shippers, users and equipment suppliers in maritime, port, inland waterways, aviation and intermodal transport, as well as supporting industries and businesses, make the following joint statement:
We underline the key role that transport and the supply chain play in the supply of essential goods in this critical period: we emphasize that transport infrastructure is, in this respect, vital infrastructure.
Show respect and support to all workers in the supply chain, who allow the continuation of transport services, the movement of goods and essential commodities, as well as the repatriation of citizens and therefore play an important role in helping European citizens overcome this phenomenon. Crisis?
We call on Member States to facilitate the smooth crossing of borders for freight transport, both within the EU and with third countries, supporting in this regard the establishment of green freight lanes in coordination with the transport stakeholders.
We support the measures and actions taken at EU level and by National Governments to contain the spread of COVID-19 and call on Member States to coordinate their response to COVID-19 and to follow the European Commission's guidelines on border management.
We reiterate the importance of protecting the health and safety of transport workers, in particular through personal protective equipment, as well as access to clean and disinfected sanitation facilities, food and drinks.
We underline that the transport and logistics sectors rely on a natural workforce and call on the European Commission and Member States to facilitate its mobility, including the repatriation of the transport workforce.
We urge policymakers to help the severely affected transport sector recover, to ensure future connectivity for both passengers and freight, and to revitalize the arteries of the internal market once the crisis is over.
