During the IRU Customs Affairs Commission meeting held on March 18, 2024, members discussed measures to improve trade and transit in response to the increasing interest in road transport, particularly in the context of the Red Sea crisis that has tested the resilience of global supply chains. In this turbulent scenario, the TIR system has played a pivotal role, proving its efficiency in international road transports exceeding eight thousand kilometers.
The IRU reports that a notable example of the TIR system's effectiveness is the Milton Group's operations, which transported goods from Europe to the Middle East across thirteen countries in just nine days, a significantly shorter timeframe than the forty days required for sea transport. Additionally, TIR truck transport operations between China and Central Asia have seen delivery times three times faster than those without the TIR system.
Radu Dinescu, IRU President, highlighted the growing interest from the global trade community in the TIR system, recognizing its benefits in reducing transport times and costs, enhancing predictability of deliveries, minimizing the risk of goods damage, and improving cargo security: "Meetings like those of the CAD are crucial in determining the best approaches to alleviate burdens on transit and transport, facilitating trade with the efficiency, speed, and security offered by the TIR system."
2024 marks the significant 75th anniversary of the TIR system, an occasion Dinescu invites to celebrate by sharing further success stories related to this system. Michaela Havelkova, CAD President, pointed out the "pragmatic and wise" choice of clients to rely on transport services guaranteed by professional road transport operators, using vehicles and cargo units that are safe and certified by Customs through the TIR system.
To maximize the benefits of the TIR, Havelkova suggested further exploring its potential through specific initiatives and projects, such as TIR-EPD and TIR Green Lanes, which involve dedicated lanes for TIR trucks to reduce border congestion and receive advance information for risk management.
