Looking back on 2014, we can see a number of clear trends: the continuing increase in the size of ships, with accompanying rationalization; freight rates under pressure; a commercial climate that is not stable enough with the pressure of rising costs and higher customer demands, changes in the energy market, and so on. These trends pose a number of immediate challenges for 2015.
New figures confirm that economic recovery in Europe is losing momentum and is failing to erode unemployment. The economic recovery that began to emerge in early 2014 is losing momentum, and weak growth is expected this year in both the eurozone and across the EU. Growth in 2015 will be stronger outside the eurozone. The EU economy as a whole will grow 1.3 percent in 2014 and 1.5 percent in 2015. By comparison, the Commission estimates the U.S. economy will grow 2.2 percent in 2014 and 3.1 percent in 2015. To pull Europe’s economy out of stagnation and to steer the euro area away from deflation, a substantial investment effort is necessary.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has unveiled a 300 billion-euro plan to boost the economy, but many say that this is not sufficient compared to much higher investment in the U.S. economy over the last years. 2015 is also the beginning of a new political cycle for the European Union, and the Commission is taking stock of priorities for Europe and for industry.
Priorities of the new European Commission president of particular significance for the logistics sector include:
— Infrastructure investment. The Trans-European Networks for Transport and the Connecting Europe Facility will be especially relevant to the logistics sector. €12 billion is now available in the first call for TEN-T projects.
— A connected digital single market. Information is one of greatest resources in the modern economy, and while a lot is gathered in transport, its use is not maximized. The European Commission intends to cooperate with industry to promote a digital transport agenda, offering the necessary coordination and legislative framework, such as standardization for electronic documents, access to data, confidentiality and liability issues.
— A deeper, fairer internal market with a strengthened industrial base. If Europe wants a strong manufacturing industry, it needs to be well integrated into the global economy with access to consumer and input markets — the logistics sector is central to this.
Nicolette van der Jagt, Director General, CLECAT