Irish Road Haulage, Transport & Commercial Vehicle News

Ireland’s Leading News & Information Hub for the Road Haulage Industry

Author: John Loughran

European haulage rates rise as fuel costs bite

European road haulage rates increased sharply in the second quarter of 2026 as operators sought to pass rising fuel and operating costs on to customers. The latest IRU/Upply/Transport Intelligence European Road Freight Rate Benchmark shows the contract rate index reaching 148 points, up 7.9 points quarter-on-quarter and 15.2 points year-on-year....

Europe’s HGV driver shortage hits 500,000

Europe’s HGV driver shortage has reached a critical new level, with approximately 502,000 truck-driving positions currently unfilled. But the headline figure may only tell part of the story, as Europe’s ageing driver population points towards an even more serious capacity problem before the end of the decade. The latest IRU...

Enterprise Flex-E-Rent targets fleet digitisation innovation with SureCam partnership  

Enterprise Flex-E-Rent, a leading provider of commercial vehicle hire solutions, has teamed up with SureCam to explore innovation within the marketplace and support its connected fleet strategy. The partnership takes advantage of SureCam’s video-enabled telematics ecosystem, bringing together a growing number of industry specialists – including Peoplesafe and Optimize –...

Diesel Rebate Scheme extended to year-end in boost for hauliers

Irish hauliers have received a welcome boost with confirmation that the Diesel Rebate Scheme (DRS) will remain in place until the end of 2026, providing continued support to transport operators facing high fuel and operating costs. The scheme allows qualifying road haulage and passenger transport operators to reclaim a portion...

The highlight of the year for Ireland’s road transport sector

The CV Workshop EXPO and 271 Truck, Trailer & Van EXPO are shaping up to be one of the highlights of the year for Ireland’s road transport, haulage and commercial vehicle sector. Taking place at the RDS, Dublin on Saturday and Sunday, 10–11 October, the two events will bring together...

Sustainable Transport Seminar 2026 – a much wider conversation about the future of transport

Sustainability may be in the title, but FTA Ireland’s Sustainable Transport Seminar 2026 will go far beyond decarbonisation. “The transport and logistics sector is facing challenges on multiple fronts. Rising operating costs, increasing regulation, digitalisation, driver recruitment and retention, insurance, road safety and compliance are all demanding greater attention from...

New Stena Line passport requirements – hauliers advised to prepare

Hauliers and commercial vehicle operators using Stena Line services between Ireland and Britain are being advised of new passport requirements coming into effect from Monday, 28 September 2026. From that date, passengers travelling on the Dublin–Holyhead and Rosslare–Fishguard routes will be required to present a valid passport or passport card...

IRHA welcomes postponement of excise duty increases

The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has welcomed the Government’s decision last Friday evening to postpone the reintroduction of excise duty, which had been due to come back into effect on 1st September. The IRHA says there is no doubt that this decision is a direct result of the strong...

New 271 Truck, Trailer & Van EXPO on the horizon

Adding another exciting dimension to the CV Workshop EXPO / Auto Trade EXPO, taking place at the RDS, Dublin on Saturday and Sunday, 10–11 October, will be the new 271 Truck, Trailer & Van EXPO, staged outdoors at the entrance to the south Dublin venue. The new outdoor showcase will...

Germany extends internal border checks to March 2027

Germany has notified the European Commission that checks at all nine of its land borders will continue from 16 September 2026 until 15 March 2027. The affected borders include France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark, Poland, Czechia, Austria and Switzerland. Irish operators travelling through Germany should allow for unpredictable inspections,...

IRHA Annual Conference comes at watershed moment

The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) will hold its Annual Conference at the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, on Friday, September 4 and Saturday, September 5, 2026, at what industry leaders are describing as a defining moment for the future of Irish road transport. Thousands of hauliers and transport operators from across...

HGVIreland.com launches new CVRT test centre directory

HGVIreland.com has expanded its growing Reference & Directory section with the addition of a new CVRT Test Centre Directory, designed to give Ireland’s haulage, transport and commercial vehicle operators quick access to essential testing information. The new directory provides a convenient county-by-county guide to CVRT test centres across Ireland, helping...

FTA Ireland welcomes Government’s decision to pause fuel excise increases

FTA Ireland has welcomed the Government’s decision to pause the fuel excise increases planned for September and October. FTA Ireland says the pause removes an immediate additional cost pressure at a time when businesses across the sector are already managing volatile fuel prices and rising operating costs. While this is...

HGV Fuel Costs: Government Hints Fuel Excise Cuts Could Be Extended

Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke has hinted that government may postone plans to phase out excise cuts on diesel and petrol starting in September. Speaking on Thursday, the Minister said the initial timing for the phasing out of the excise cut – which came as part of €750m in industry...

Nominations open for CILT Mobility & Supply Chain Awards

Do you know an individual or organisation that deserves recognition for their outstanding achievements, innovation, leadership, or contribution to the logistics, supply chain or transport industry? Now is the time to put them forward for an award! Nominations are now open for the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT)...