Political uncertainty slows EU’s heavy transport reforms

Political uncertainty in Germany and France is delaying the final round of discussions about reforms to the EU’s Weights and Dimensions Directive (96/53) – changes that are crucial to the long-term health of Europe’s heavy and abnormal transport sector. ESTA and other supporters had hoped that the reforms would receive final approval during the current … Read more

New call for Brussels to act on safe parking measures

ESTA and the European parking organisation ESPORG have embarked on a new round of discussions with the European Commission in an attempt to expand the provision of safe and secure truck parking areas – with special emphasis on those for abnormal and heavy transports. An ESTA Position Paper on the subject has been sent to … Read more

Spanish expert to fill ESTA’s newly created post of Policy Officer

ESTA has appointed leading Spanish heavy lift and abnormal transport expert Miguel Florez de la Colina to the newly created position of Policy Officer as the organisation gears up for the next stage in its development. Currently the head of Madrid-based Siladen Solutions, Miguel Florez de la Colina previously worked for Mammoet for over 15 … Read more

New board members for ESTA

ESTA’s ruling General Assembly has unanimously agreed two new board members as the organisation prepares for the next stage in its development and future challenges. Alessio Scollo, Sales Director of SIMI Trasporti from Italy, has been elected as the new Section Transport Vice President, working alongside Section Transport President Iffet Türken. Scollo, who previously worked … Read more

Heavy transport reforms backed by Germany’s Federal Cabinet

Important changes to the over-complex regulations governing heavy and abnormal transport in Germany – and moves to speed up permit approvals – have been approved by the country’s Federal Cabinet. The changes have been long called for by German industry leaders through the lobby group Verbändeinitiative Großraum und Schwertransporte (VI GST) whose founding members include … Read more

European heavy transport and driving reforms move a step closer

Crucial Europe-wide revisions of the rules and regulations governing the heavy transport sector – along with new driving licence regulations – have moved another step closer following the latest round of meetings and announcements in Brussels. On November 4, Greek politician Apostolos Tzitzikostas received a green light from the Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Committee to … Read more

Transport operators’ licence plans on track as three-tier training structure agreed

ESTA continues to make rapid progress towards the creation of a transport operators’ licence for Modular Hydraulically Suspended Trailers – such as SPMTs – following the latest round of meetings in Istanbul. Members representing manufacturers and users from across Europe have agreed a three-tier training structure and a set of learning outcome documents that set … Read more

ICSA publishes new safety guidance on operating cranes near overhead power lines

Important new guidance on the safe operation of cranes near power lines has been published by the International Crane Stakeholders Assembly (ICSA), the organisation that brings together global crane manufacturers and users, including ESTA. Called Safe Crane Operation in the Vicinity of Power Lines, the detailed 30-page document – freely available from the ESTA or … Read more

Long-awaited European heavy transport reforms move a step closer

Crucial Europe-wide revisions of the rules and regulations governing the heavy transport sector – long called for by ESTA – moved a step closer on Monday (October 7) when the newly installed European Parliament’s important Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Committee voted to back them. The measures include the Europe-wide adoption of the standard SERT documentation … Read more