The draft Mobility Orientation Law (LOM in french) was approved by the Senate in mid-June 2019. The law should be definitively ratified at the end of July after a visit to the Joint Committee.
The bill introduced by the Minister of Transport Élisabeth Borne followed the mobility conference organised in autumn 2017.
In the context of the yellow vest movement protesting in particular against the cost of transport, the LOM has finally transformed into a text that essentially favours the passenger transport sector.
However, several measures will concern freight transport. A brief overview of the elements to be retained that could soon impact the transport & logistics sector.
Mobility Orientation Law
The draft law was presented by the Minister of Ecology François de Rugy and the Minister of Transport Élisabeth Borne. The LOM reforms the general framework of mobility policies and has five main objectives:
- Making a success of the ecological and energy transition of transport systems
- Give everyone the choice of their mobility, by offering a more diversified range of services
- Align mobility policies with the reality of the territories and with spatial planning priorities
- Connecting France to the major European and global trading systems
- Ensure safer travel and an ever higher level of safety
Road Transport
The first measures concern the development of gas-powered vehicles, with priority given to heavy goods vehicles, including the possibility of connecting refuelling stations to the gas transport network and the implementation of a biogas support system. The Government also plans to support transport professionals with over-cost recovery for the purchase of gas, hydrogen or electric heavy goods vehicles.
The LOM also provides for the creation and deployment of ZFE (low emission areas) within voluntary communities (15 cities). In these ZFE, traffic will be restricted or even prohibited. Automatic traffic restrictions in the event of a pollution peak may be taken by the Prefect if necessary. Concerning infrastructures, the future LOM should secure a part of TICPE to finance new infrastructures. The idea of a heavy goods vehicle vignette has for the moment been removed from the text.
For the very long term, deputies have set a ban on the sale of fossil fuel cars and light commercial vehicles (petrol, diesel, natural gas) at 2040. In 2050, the total end of fossil fuel vehicles is scheduled. For trucks over 3.5 t, the objective is to achieve a market share of at least 18% for low-emission engines by 2025.
Maritime Transport
The maritime sector is also engaged in the ecological and energy transition with various concrete measures:
- Implementation of the International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea (SNPD), 2010
- Ratification of the sulphur ordinance
- Legal clarification to secure investments in the adaptation of electricity networks and quays in commercial ports
The government will also be able to create a single public institution bringing together the ports of Le Havre, Rouen and Paris, in order to equip itself with the means to compete with the ports of northern Europe.
This port would then constitute the 1st French port for foreign trade.
Multimodal Transport
The modal shift in freight transport will be supported by the State over 10 years with €2.3 billion invested.
Finally, the last symbolic act concerning multimodal transport, the transformation of the public establishment of the Société du Canal Seine-Nord Europe (SCSNE) into a local public establishment, in order to achieve the regionalisation of this company.
Conception Réalisation Étude Logistique – CERL
CERL is actively monitoring these future developments and we will keep you informed of future developments.
CERL supports you in all your import and export transport operations. Do not hesitate to contact us for more information or a transport quote. Our teams are available to answer your requests.
