ESTA Awards 2024 – the finalists

The category shortlists for the 2024 ESTA Awards have been announced. In total, there are 37 finalists across the ten categories from 12 different countries. The winners will be announced at the awards dinner which takes place on the evening of April 25 at the Hilton Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, during the Intermat exhibition. … Read more

European Parliament backs harmonisation of rules on indivisible loads

Members of the European Parliament have today backed moves to harmonise the numerous and complex national rules governing abnormal transport. The plenary vote to revise the EU’s Weights and Dimensions Directive (96/53) is an important step in a long campaign led by ESTA, the European association of abnormal road transport and mobile cranes. The proposals … Read more

ESTA NEWSFLASH: DB’s new heavy transport rules under scrutiny

ESTA has expressed concern at new rules and conditions imposed by Germany’s rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) on heavy transports when they cross or work near railways lines. The conditions are contained in a so-called framework document published by DB’s newly created infrastructure arm DB InfraGO AG. DB InfraGO was officially launched in January and … Read more

EU heavy transport reform proposals pass important hurdle

ESTA’s long-standing proposals for reform and harmonization of the rules governing heavy transport and abnormal loads throughout the European Union have passed a crucial hurdle. The proposals were contained in the revisions to the EU’s Weights and Dimensions Directive (96/53) which were before the Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Committee of the European Parliament. At its … Read more

Meissner takes ECTOL chair as work gets underway

Work on ESTA’s new European Crane and Transport Operators Licence (ECTOL) scheme is accelerating as the structure of the new organisation is created and approved. ECTOL will be an umbrella body that will oversee both the existing European Crane Operators Licence (ECOL) and the new European Transport Operators Licence (ETOL) which will initially focus on … Read more

ESTA’s call for EU heavy transport reform reaches crucial stage

ESTA’s long-standing proposals for reform and harmonization of the rules governing heavy transport and abnormal loads throughout the European Union will reach a crucial stage in the coming days. The proposals are currently before the Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Committee of the European Parliament which is due to vote on them on February 14. They … Read more

ESTA delight at strong awards support

ESTA is delighted at the strong backing for our 2024 awards ceremony in Paris in April from a fantastic list of market-leading sponsors and supporters. ESTA Director Ton Klijn said: “ESTA is proud that the awards have become so popular and enjoyable, as shown by the strong support the event receives from our industry friends … Read more

ESTA NEWSFLASH: Warning of ‘impractical’ European emissions targets

ESTA has strongly criticised European Union officials for agreeing reduced CO2 emissions standards for new heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) without putting in place a plan to develop the necessary infrastructure for electric vehicle charging and adoption of alternative fuels. The EU Council and the European Parliament’s negotiators last week announced an agreement on CO2 emission standards … Read more