EU Commission Vice-President Urges Immediate Action on Secure Truck Parking After Stark Site Visits in Belgium
In a powerful demonstration of leadership and commitment to improving conditions for Europe’s truck drivers, European Commission Vice-President for Jobs and Skills, Roxana Mînzatu, undertook a critical fact-finding visit this week to several truck parking areas in Belgium. The visit brought into sharp focus the extreme disparities in parking infrastructure across the European Union—ranging from state-of-the-art, secure facilities to locations lacking even the most basic services necessary for driver safety and dignity.
Organized jointly by the International Road Transport Union (IRU), the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), and the European Secure Parking Organisation (ESPORG), the visit comes at a crucial moment in the EU policy landscape. As Member States and institutions debate the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the budget cycle that will shape infrastructure and labour policies over the coming years, the state of Europe’s truck parking facilities has become an urgent point of discussion.
A Sector in Crisis: Inadequate Parking Puts Drivers and Supply Chains at Risk
The issue of secure and safe truck parking has long been a concern for transport workers, logistics companies, and policy-makers alike. But the Belgian site visits underscored just how wide the gap remains between policy intentions and on-the-ground reality. Vice-President Mînzatu witnessed both ends of the spectrum: from a gold-standard facility with top-tier security and amenities, to an area devoid of basic lighting, sanitation, and security.
Such contrasts are not isolated to Belgium—they reflect a broader crisis facing the EU road transport sector. According to industry estimates, the EU faces a shortfall of over 100,000 secure parking spaces, particularly along the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) corridors. The implications of this shortage are manifold: not only does it compromise the wellbeing and safety of drivers, but it also affects road safety, cargo security, and the resilience of supply chains—all vital elements of Europe’s internal market.
The Human Face of Logistics: A Matter of Dignity and Decency
Speaking after her site visits, Vice-President Mînzatu delivered a strong message that elevated the conversation beyond infrastructure.
“Safe and secure parking isn’t just a logistical issue – it’s about guaranteeing drivers’ dignity, safety and respect,” she said. “When we invest in better places for them to rest and work, we not only make the job more appealing and tackle labour shortages, but also strengthen road transport as the backbone of Europe’s economy.”
Her statement aligns with the growing recognition that professional drivers are essential front-line workers. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and in the aftermath of supply chain disruptions, truck drivers ensured the continuity of goods movement across Europe. Yet despite their essential role, drivers often face harsh working conditions, unsafe overnight stops, and little recognition for their contribution.
A Call for European and National Action
Raluca Marian, EU Advocacy Director at IRU, echoed the urgency of Vice-President Mînzatu’s remarks, emphasizing that the problem is systemic and demands coordinated action at both EU and national levels.
“The contrast we saw in Belgium, from a gold-standard parking to a very poor one, mirrors what drivers face every day across the EU,” she said.
“This is not a local problem. It’s a European crisis. We now hope that Vice-President Mînzatu, together with Commissioner [Apostolos] Tzitzikostas, will take the lead in steering both EU and Member States to prioritise the planning and rollout of secure truck parking areas, especially along Europe’s most congested corridors.”
Marian’s remarks highlight the essential need for secure parking to be recognized as core transport infrastructure, just like roads, bridges, and terminals. Without such facilities, driver fatigue increases, cargo theft becomes more frequent, and compliance with EU driving and rest time regulations becomes difficult or even impossible.
Regional Priorities: Spotlight on Flanders
The delegation also included the Governor of West Flanders, underscoring the importance of regional involvement in resolving the issue. West Flanders, home to Zeebrugge Port—a vital hub for EU maritime logistics—is a strategic location where secure parking can have disproportionate benefits for the broader European supply chain.
At the Jabbeke site, regional leaders were able to see first-hand the challenges and opportunities for improving parking infrastructure. Given the region’s connectivity to major EU corridors, IRU has called on Flemish authorities to maintain momentum in prioritizing secure truck parking in upcoming transport and infrastructure planning initiatives.
A United Front: Labour, Industry, and Institutions Aligned
One of the most impactful aspects of the visit was the unity of purpose displayed by key stakeholders: the European Commission, road transport operators, driver unions, and secure parking providers all stood together in advocating for immediate action. This kind of alignment is rare in EU policy debates and adds substantial weight to the call for investment.
The ETF, representing the interests of Europe’s transport workers, emphasized that inadequate parking isn’t just a logistical oversight—it’s a major contributor to declining job satisfaction, mental health issues, and recruitment challenges in an industry already grappling with an acute driver shortage, which some estimates put at over 500,000 unfilled positions across the continent.
“For the EU’s professional drivers, the lack of adequate parking facilities translates into unsafe working conditions, higher stress, and diminished dignity on the road,” said Marian.
“This further undermines efforts to attract and retain people in a sector already facing a critical labour shortage.”
From Observations to Policy: The Road Ahead
The timing of this visit is no accident. The next EU Multiannual Financial Framework is under negotiation, and stakeholders are pushing to ensure that secure truck parking becomes a clear budget line in future infrastructure investments. Funding mechanisms such as the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and Cohesion Funds could play pivotal roles in co-financing new or upgraded secure parking areas.
Furthermore, as Europe pushes forward with its Green Deal and mobility reforms under the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, the link between decent working conditions and sustainable transport systems must be made explicit. Efficient, humane logistics infrastructure supports modal shift, digitalization, and emissions reductions—but only when the workers behind the wheel are properly supported.
A Pivotal Moment for Change
This week’s site visits have created powerful momentum and visibility around an issue that has too often remained invisible. The European Commission, by placing a Vice-President directly on the ground, has demonstrated both political will and moral clarity. The question now is whether that will translate into concrete funding, regulatory support, and national implementation in the coming years.
If the EU is to ensure the future of its supply chains, road safety, and labour market resilience, investment in secure truck parking is no longer optional—it’s imperative.