The Ets tax is set to undergo its second increase since its introduction in 2025, and Sicilian hauliers continue to urge Transport Councillor Aricò to act as their spokesperson with the Ministry of Transport to find a solution. To push the Sicilian regional government to take action, Aitras has called for a sector-wide mobilisation starting on 21 February. The association argues that the Ets is an unfair tax that Sicily is forced to bear, as shipowners pass on the costs to hauliers, making businesses and products uncompetitive. Before Christmas, Aitras had received assurances that in the new year, a delegation from the Regional Transport Council would take part in a roundtable discussion at the Ministry of Transport, chaired by Deputy Minister Edoardo Rixi, to identify solutions that would neutralise the impact of the Ets costs. However, no response has yet been received.
Meanwhile, in recent weeks, the association has met with key clients, including Italkali and major fruit and vegetable distribution companies. These discussions revealed that clients are unwilling to absorb the increased Ets costs, especially considering that by 2026, the tax will be fully implemented and could reach up to €700 per trip, pushing Sicilian products out of the market.
In its statement, Aitras reminded Councillor Aricò that "for Sicilian road haulage companies, returning to an all-road transport model is not an option, given the significant investments made in the combined road-sea system. Moreover, it would be unthinkable for maritime heavy goods traffic to shift onto roads and motorways, as this would lead to total congestion."
