Connecting Europe Facility (CEF): European Commission sets investments for €6.2 billion in sustainable, safe and efficient transport infrastructure

107 transport infrastructure projects have been chosen by the Commission to receive more than €6 billion in EU grants from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), which is the EU's strategic investment instrument for transport infrastructure. A significant portion of the funding, over 80%, will be allocated to projects that aim to create a more efficient, environmentally friendly, and technologically advanced network of railways, inland waterways, and maritime routes along the trans-European transport (TEN-T) network. Additionally, the projects will contribute to the establishment of the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes, which are designed to facilitate trade between Ukraine and the EU.

Prominent cross-border rail connections within the TEN-T core network have been given priority for funding. These include noteworthy projects such as the Brenner Base tunnel, which connects Italy and Austria, Rail Baltica, linking the three Baltic States and Poland with the rest of Europe, and the Emmerich-Oberhausen cross-border section between Germany and the Netherlands, among others.

Several maritime ports in Ireland, Greece, Spain, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Poland will receive funding to develop on-shore power supply infrastructure in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships when docked.

To ensure the future viability of inland waterway transport, the infrastructure along the Seine-Scheldt cross-border waterways between France and Belgium will be modernized. Inland ports situated within the Danube and Rhine basins, such as Vienna and Andernach, will also undergo upgrades.

To enhance the safety and interoperability of rail transport across the EU, the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) will be installed on trains and railway lines in Czechia, Denmark, Germany, France, Austria, and Slovakia. Moreover, several EU member states will implement Intelligent Transport Systems and Services (ITS) on their roads, with a particular focus on cooperative ITS (C-ITS) to improve the safety and efficiency of transportation. Furthermore, support will be provided to European air traffic management projects in multiple member states, with the goal of increasing efficiency in air transport and establishing a Single European Sky.

Background

Under the?CEF Transport programme for 2021-2027,?€25.8 billion?is available for grants to co-fund TEN-T projects in the EU Member States. Since 2014, CEF has?supported almost 1,300 projects?with a total of €29.4 billion in the transport sector (excluding today's proposed selection).

Further financing opportunities are available under CEF Transport, with the 2023 call for?Military Mobility currently open until 21 September 2023?and the?Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility calls open until 7 November 2023. The next CEF Transport calls for proposals will be launched towards the end of September 2023.