Combined Transport Directive (CTD): A Pragmatic Plan as the way forward
Do not withdraw the CTD proposal — the sector has a solution
The undersigned organisations call on the European Commission and EU Transport Ministers not to withdraw the proposal revising the Combined Transport Directive.
Combined Transport is essential for Europe’s competitiveness, decarbonisation, energy security, supply-chain resilience and military mobility. Withdrawing the CTD proposal would send the wrong political signal and delay urgently needed improvements for many more years.
A pragmatic way forward is available.
The sector suggests to:
• keep the current Combined Transport definition under Directive 92/106/EEC;
• continue to work on the rest of the proposal now, to achieve the urgently needed modernization wherever agreement is possible;
• consider the technical proposals in the annex as a basis for advancing National Policy Frameworks, digitalisation, transparency, terminal and last-mile support, and targeted driving-ban exemptions.
This approach would avoid a political failure, preserve momentum on Combined Transport, and allow EU institutions to deliver concrete improvements for modal shift, intermodal competitiveness and European resilience.
The sector stands ready to support the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament in advancing this pragmatic solution.
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