On 16 March, 2026, the European Commission adopted new State Aid rules for land and multimodal transport, including the Land and Multimodal Transport Guidelines (LMTG) and the Transport Block Exemption Regulation (TBER). The new framework replaces the 2008 Railway Guidelines and aims to facilitate public support for more sustainable transport solutions across the European Union.
The revised rules broaden the scope of State Aid possibilities beyond the rail sector to include inland waterways and sustainable multimodal transport solutions, such as freight terminals connecting rail, inland waterways and maritime transport. By enabling support for a wider range of infrastructure and operational measures, the framework seeks to encourage a shift away from road-only transport towards more environmentally sustainable logistics chains.
Under the new rules, Member States will be able to provide support for the construction, upgrade and renewal of rail and inland waterway infrastructure, as well as multimodal freight terminals and private sidings. Investment aid may also cover fleet renewal and modernisation, including the acquisition of rolling stock, inland waterway vessels and equipment aimed at improving efficiency, interoperability and safety.
The Transport Block Exemption Regulation complements the guidelines by exempting certain categories of aid from prior notification to the European Commission, provided that specific safeguards are respected. This simplification is expected to reduce administrative procedures for Member States and accelerate the implementation of public investment in sustainable transport infrastructure.
For FEPORT members, the new framework is particularly relevant as it may facilitate investments in multimodal terminals and hinterland connections linking maritime transport with rail and inland waterways. Strengthening these connections remains essential for improving supply chain efficiency, supporting modal shift objectives and enhancing the resilience of European logistics networks.
The new State Aid rules will apply from 30 March 2026, with a transitional period allowing Member States to align existing measures with the updated framework.
