Following internal consultations within its political groups, the Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Committee of the European Parliament has rejected the proposal to withdraw the revision of the Combined Transport Directive, offering a potential lifeline to a legislative file that had been at risk of being discontinued.
The revision of the Directive, which forms part of the EU’s Greening Freight Transport Package, had entered a phase of uncertainty after the European Commission signalled its intention to withdraw the proposal from its 2026 work programme. This position raised concerns among stakeholders about the future of a coordinated EU framework supporting intermodal and combined transport.
The outcome in TRAN signals continued political support within the European Parliament to keep the legislative process alive. While this step does not, in itself, secure the adoption of a revised Directive, it reopens the door for further parliamentary work and keeps intermodality firmly on the EU transport policy agenda.
The next procedural step lies with the Parliament’s rapporteur, Flavio Tosi, who is expected to propose a way forward towards a first-reading position in the coming weeks. In parallel, the Council will need to clarify whether it intends to continue work on the file or allow it to lapse.
For ports and terminal operators, the future of the Combined Transport Directive remains highly relevant. A modernised and workable framework for combined transport can support more efficient hinterland connections, strengthen multimodal logistics chains and contribute to the competitiveness and sustainability of port ecosystems. The TRAN Committee’s position confirms that, despite uncertainty, the debate on intermodality at EU level is not over.
