Thirty two European rail companies and organisations have signed a declaration to support the reconstruction of railways in Ukraine. The declaration has been sent to the leaders of the Council of the EU, the European Parliament and the European Commission, hoping the proposals will now find top-level EU support to ensure they can be realised.

32 European rail companies support Ukraine’s railway reconstruction

The European Commission has agreed on the final text of the EU-Ukraine Special Agreement on the Liberalisation of Road Transport. The text of the agreement provides for the performance of bilateral and transit traffic by Ukrainian carriers without permits. The signing of the document is scheduled for the end of June.

Ukraine and the EU reach agreement on liberalisation of road transport

To address labour market shortages, the European Commission is working on proposals to update its legal and operational immigration policies for people from third countries. While the EU wants to make skilled worker immigration from third countries easier, it has also proposed new provisions on penalties against employers in case of violations of working conditions.

EU to make it easier to recruit employees from 3rd countries

In the midst of driver shortage, Ukrainian professional drivers who found asylum in Sweden are not allowed to work in their profession as their qualifications can be recognised neither in the country nor in the EU. Now, Sweden is now one of the countries pushing the EU to change the restrictive regulation.

Sweden next to urge EU to recognise Ukrainian lorry driver qualifications

To decrease its HGV driver shortage, Germany has signed a transport agreement that provides for the recognition of Ukrainian driving licenses and certificates of competency. Drivers from Albania, Kosovo and the Republic of Moldova will also be able to get their licenses recognised in Germany.

Germany recognizes Ukrainian driving licenses to cut HGV driver shortage

The terrible situation in Ukraine is causing a lot of people to ask what more they can be doing to provide humanitarian aid to the war-torn country. The UK Government has strongly recommended that any aid be provided via the Disasters and Emergencies Committee Appeal or by way of donation to a registered charity. If however, you want to transport your own humanitarian aid to the region, you must be aware of the operator licensing and drivers’ hours rules, and what exceptions may apply.

Transporting humanitarian aid to Ukraine:  operator licensing and EU drivers’ hours rules 

People and organisations all over the UK are collecting donations for refugees from Ukraine and for those who are still in the country. As customs procedures after Brexit might cause some headaches for hauliers, please find here guidance on recent humanitarian aid transportation regulations.

Procedures and regulations hauliers need to know when sending aid to Ukraine

Countries in Europe are relaxing weekend driving bans and road tolls for drivers transporting humanitarian aid to Ukraine and/or Ukrainian refugees. See here how different countries have changed their regulations.

Driving ban relaxations and toll exemptions for humanitarian aid transport in Europe

We continue to bring you the latest news and insight on the disruption to global supply chains as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Today's update features news on the microchip, automotive and construction industries, as well as fears over Black Sea shipping routes and high fuel costs.

Russia’s Ukraine invasion: supply chain disruption update (04/03)

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Serbian HGV drivers had to wait at the Ukrainian border with Romania for 4 days as the Ukrainian forces didn't allow them to leave. However, thanks to a diplomatic mediation between Serbia and Ukraine, the trucks were permitted to enter Romania on Tuesday afternoon. The Serbian Chamber of Commerce has nonetheless warned hauliers of the financial unpredictability and safety hazards of conducting transport in the countries part of the conflict.