More pressure to develop EU specialized transport corridors

A truck for military applications from Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks. Photo: Daimler Truck

The European specialized transport and crane association ESTA has called again for development of abnormal load transport corridors in a network across the region.

These would be for use by the military and by industry. The proposals were outlined in a new ESTA background paper sent to MEPs in early 2025. It was produced in response to the European Commission’s White Paper on Defence Readiness 2030 where military mobility was a key issue.

A debate followed the publication about the importance of transport infrastructure in supporting Europe’s security and economy. Abnormal transport is key for military mobility around Europe and further afield.

Ton Klijn, ESTA director, said, “We welcome the publication of the White Paper for Defence as well as the recognition of the military transport as a key enabler of European resilience.

“Although significant progress has been made in recent years, there remain considerable obstacles to moving troops and equipment unhindered across the EU. Military mobility, like abnormal transport, faces significant administrative and infrastructural barriers.

“Current non-harmonised procedures often cause severe delays in the issuance of cross-border permits. This is why the EU and member states need to immediately simplify and streamline regulations and procedures.”

Moved to change

Proposals to streamline and harmonise rules for European abnormal transport operators are part of the planned revisions to the Weights and Dimensions Directive. It is making its way through the legislative process.

“The European Union and national transport authorities have long been pressed to agree heavy and abnormal transport corridors throughout Europe in the wake of increasing concern about deteriorating infrastructure,” ESTA said.

So far, however, the calls to include a commitment to developing abnormal transport corridors have been unheeded.

ESTA said the policy is now all the more relevant, what with Europe’s growing defence requirements.

“Given the growing importance of military transport due to current defence and security challenges, it is important to facilitate cross-border operations for abnormal road transports,” Klijn continued.

“This is why, alongside the proposed reforms to the directive, ESTA is equally calling on EU decision makers to establish abnormal road transport corridors, following the trans-European road network.

“These corridors should include the roads with a high economic relevance and based on the road network, road pavements, bridges and other specific road structures, that are classified as adequate to carry abnormal road transports.”

See more on the ESTA website www.estaeurope.eu