The European Union has used it all its power to interfere and frustrate transport instead of taking the opportunity to innovate and lead improvement according to John Allan, president of the Freight Transport Association and chief executive of Exel.
Speaking at the Institute of Logistics and Transport, Allan outlined several strategic issues that must be dealt with to ensure the single European market reaches its potential. These include; cures to alleviate congestion issues across Europe, leadership on the skills shortage within the industry, liberalisation and harmonisation to fight restrictive markets and leadership in developing common protocols for Europe-wide technology.
Allan said: “Europe is supposed to be a trading bloc which works together to the same rules in order to facilitate trade. But, all too often we see member states adopting legislation at different rates and in different ways. If a uniform approach is not adopted how can we expect to punch above our weights on the global trading stage. The logistics industry faces many challenges as Europe expands and it will only be by the European Commission seeking to understand better the markets it is creating and the economic forces it is unleashing that we will further increase efficiency and our position in the global market.”