The March 11, 2025 meeting between the Italian Ministry of Transport and trucking associations, concluded without delivering the concrete solutions anticipated by the transport sector. The lack of progress has intensified already high tensions. The highly anticipated meeting saw hauliers present the latest developments on measures necessary to address long-standing industry challenges. Despite prior commitments from Deputy Minister Edoardo Rixi and technical staff, no tangible resolutions were provided, according the associations.
A statement issued by Unatras on March 12 expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing that while discussions were held in the presence of high-ranking ministry officials, including Chief of Staff Alfredo Storto, no actionable solutions emerged. One of the most pressing concerns remains the excessive waiting times for loading and unloading goods. Unatras reiterated that the lack of enforceable regulations in this area distorts market competition, negatively impacting both road safety and company profitability. Another unresolved issue is payment terms: while the ministry acknowledged the need for further legal and technical analysis to establish effective penalties for non-compliant clients, no immediate solutions were offered.
Regarding the Codice della Strada (Highway Code), Unatras has been advocating for penalties to be applied solely to the Driver Qualification Card. However, clarity on this issue remains elusive. The ministry did, however, commit to forming a technical commission that will involve industry representatives in drafting a legislative decree within the next six to eight months—a step welcomed by Unatras but still considered insufficient given the urgency of the sector’s demands.
From a financial standpoint, the ministry confirmed difficulties in securing the necessary economic resources. Despite these challenges, officials assured their commitment to reinstating the recently cut €12 million from structural funds—part of a total budget of €240 million—and to establishing a multi-year €600 million fund for fleet renewal, adhering to the principle of technological neutrality. The ministry also requested an additional ten days to provide more concrete responses and proposed maintaining a permanent consultation table with industry stakeholders.
Despite the ministry’s attempts to extend discussions, Unatras expressed complete dissatisfaction with the meeting’s outcome. The association immediately announced the convocation of its Executive Committee to deliberate on potential countermeasures, emphasizing its commitment to safeguarding the competitiveness and economic sustainability of thousands of Italian transport companies.
Trasportounito, another major association in the freight industry, has proposed a national transport strike. The organization will formally present this proposal at its assembly in Anagni on March 16, with a potential start date set for March 31. Maurizio Longo, Secretary-General of Trasportounito, criticized the government’s lack of response, stating, “We have presented the ministry with the essential and non-negotiable proposals needed to regulate the transport market, as well as additional measures to address the critical issues facing professional drivers. However, as has been the case for months, the responses have been vague at best, lacking any substantive commitments. The strike is necessary to make clear a fundamental reality that should already be well understood in political circles: 80% of the country's goods rely exclusively on road transport.”
