Dublin, Ireland: The Department of Transport in Ireland has published a ten-year strategy for road transport and logistics – the first-ever government strategy dedicated to the haulage and road freight sector.
“Ireland’s Road Haulage Strategy 2022–2031” focuses on generating efficiencies, improving standards, securing jobs and helping the road freight sector move to a low-carbon future. It also sets out the policies required to develop the skills base needed to ensure the long-term viability of the sector and it considers the potential for intermodal transport of freight.
Ireland’s minister for transport, Eamon Ryan, acknowledged that the haulage sector was a challenging sector to move towards decarbonisation, given that 99% of heavy goods vehicles are currently diesel fuelled. However, he said that this new strategy – along with other measures and supports which will be put in place – will help drive the shift to zero emissions in heavy goods vehicles and more integrated transport connections.
Minister of state with special responsibility for international and road transport and logistics, Hildegarde Naughton, said: “The actions arising from this strategy will be key to ensuring that the sector is supported and prepared to overcome the significant challenges it is currently facing, including driver shortages and the decarbonisation of the haulage fleet.”
The strategy has seven sections:
- Brexit, Covid-19 and crisis management
- Sustainability and decarbonisation
- Road infrastructure and usage charging
- Integrated transport planning and intermodal transport
- Road safety
- The EU mobility package and road transport operator licensing
- Labour market and skills
