The energy crisis resulting from the war in Iran is not only causing higher fuel prices. There is now also a threat of a shortage, and that worries TLV: the federation called on Federal Minister of Mobility Jean-Luc Crucke on Monday to explicitly recognize road transport as a priority sector in the event of a shortage.
“The recent geopolitical developments in the Middle East are putting severe pressure on the global energy supply. According to the International Energy Agency, this is the greatest threat to energy security ever. The European Commission is also calling for a reduction in the consumption of oil products. For TLV it is essential that this discussion starts from economic reality,” says Johan Staes, CEO of Transport and Logistiek Vlaanderen.
“In 2024, Belgian trucks transported 261 million tons of goods. 80% of this is done domestically and 76% is carried out by professional transport companies. This is the daily supply of shops, the operation of our industry and the continuity of our exports. Currently, diesel will remain the backbone of road transport in the coming years. Any disruption in supply has immediate consequences for the operation of the logistics chain. Road transport is not a sector that you can simply switch back without economic consequences. Less diesel today simply means less transport capacity, with a direct impact on companies and consumers.”
TLV asks the federal and regional authorities to make clear choices in the context of possible scarcity:
- Recognize road transport as a priority sector in the event of a disruption in diesel supplies
- Ensure that transport companies maintain access to available supplies, even with limited reserves
- Ensure a coordinated approach that respects the level playing field in Europe
- Work with the sector to develop an action plan to realize the transition to green and sustainable transport in the foreseeable future.
