Commission measures to support the transport industry and maritime transport in particular

Question for written answer  E-000797/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Mario Furore (NI), Laura Ferrara (NI)

The Confcommercio Transport Indicator (the ITC) has recorded a fall of almost 50 % in overall passenger traffic in 2020, ranging from a 32.2 % drop in numbers for bus and coach motorway travel to 41.7 % for rail travel and hitting around 73 % for air and sea travel. Freight transport has also fallen considerably: negative changes for freight transport show an 18.7 % drop overall in 2020, with spikes for road freight (-25.8 %) and air freight (-23.6 %). Action by the Commission last year focused on air transport in particular but it is very clear that the whole transport industry needs targeted support, and especially those sectors still suffering from a fall in passenger numbers, with maritime transport particularly affected.

In view of this:

• 1.What instruments has the Commission made available for the various sectors and to what effect?
• 2.What measures does it believe are needed to support the maritime passenger-transport sector, in view of this exceptional and still ongoing situation?