On 26 August 2020, the Commission published a report on the implementation of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). More particularly, considering the 2016-2017 period the report provides for a picture of the progresses made according to the so-called “TEN-T Regulation” defining the objectives for a more sustainable, seamless and smarter European transport network.

Through the data uploaded in the TENtec information system with a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) defined on the basis of transport infrastructure requirements foreseen in the TEN-T Regulation, the report presents an analysis of the implementation of the TEN-T technical parameters with regard to the core network corridors. Specifically, the current state of implementation of the TEN-T transport infrastructure reaches between 81% and 100% for 10 out of the 13 available indicators, whereas for the remaining three the compliance rates range from 11% to 67%. Furthermore, the report examines the overall financial investments made on the TEN-T in 2016-2017, estimating them for an amount of approximately EUR 91 billion, the majority of which (73%) have been made by national resources while the rest through the European Investment Bank (EIB) loans or co-financing by the European Structural and Investment Funds.

Despite the results being promising, according to the Commission the current definition of the compliance parameters is sometimes not developed and specified enough to properly account for the actual operational possibilities of the network. Therefore, the major challenges of the TEN-T infrastructure network can only be met by a sound mix of funding and financial instruments.

Marco Stillo