Priorities work programme 2021-2023 CEF Transport

Ensuring safe port access and providing basic infrastructure, including the development of zero and low emission solutions, are pursued within this priority.

In addition, the focus is on shore-side power facilities, port reception facilities for waste and infrastructure for connections to provide or improve rail and road access. Infrastructure for cruise ships is not eligible, except for shore power.

For wider hinterland connections, reference is made to the priorities associated with the specific transport mode.

Motorways of the Seas remains a separate priority for improving the connections for maritime transport over shorter distances (short sea shipping). On the one hand, this involves looking at the port infrastructure itself, but on the other hand it can also be used more widely on the systems behind it, such as ICT platforms, training of people, etc.

In terms of implementation of the projects, at least 1 port on the TEN-T core network in 1 specific Member State and 1 port on the core or comprehensive network in another Member State must be involved. Furthermore, vessels are not funded under this priority unless they are icebreaking activities.

Upgrade or construction of new waterways and associated infrastructure such as locks and bridges to guarantee good navigability and/or increase capacity are central to this priority.

The aim is also to automate the structures and connections between inland shipping and maritime transport.

Specifically for inland ports, there is also a focus on security, shore power facilities, port reception facilities for waste and degassing of vessels, but also infrastructure for connections to provide or improve rail and road access.

It must always be possible to demonstrate that a project contributes to the multimodal connection of water-bound transport.

For wider hinterland connections, reference is made to the priorities associated with the specific transport mode.

For freight transport, the aim is to:

• improve road links to maritime and inland ports and rail-road terminals as long as these projects address a specific bottleneck and do not lead to increased road transport capacity.
• the construction or improvement of rail-road terminals listed in Annex 2 of the TEN-T Regulation, transfer points for combined transport and other publicly accessible multimodal logistics platforms (including rail links, power supplies, secure truck waiting area, IT equipment and applications.

No aid is granted for buildings, storage areas or warehouses. Projects with road components must be in line with Directives (EU) 2019/19368 and (EU) 2004/54/EC9.

For passenger transport, efforts are being made to develop and improve multimodal passenger hubs. Projects that contribute to this must:

• take place in an urban node of the core network,
• in line with the SUMP provided or elaborated there or an equivalent plan thereof
• improve accessibility for all users, especially passengers with reduced mobility.
• pay attention to connections with long-distance transport (connections to or between stations and/or (air) ports).

These projects can also focus on improving connections with cycling infrastructure and shared mobility, but that should not be the main objective.

This priority focuses on intelligent applications and systems in the different modes of transport:

• Intelligent Transport Systems for Road Transport (ITS): infrastructure and services (incl. eCall) within the priorities of Directive 2010/40/EU20 and cooperative systems (C-ITS) using the hybrid communication approach defined in the European C-ITS Strategy.
• River Information Services (RIS) and other common inland navigation systems.
• The implementation of the European Maritime Single Window environment (EMSWe) .
• Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information Systems (VTMIS), maritime port community systems and relevant customs information systems.
• Support for Member States for the development and implementation of IT platforms under the eFTI Regulation.
• Projects concerning the development, collection, management, sharing and dissemination of accurate and up-to-date transport, traffic and travel data that contribute to the interoperability and digitization of processes, as long as they are complementary and in line with activities within the Digital Europe Program - Common Data Spaces are implemented such as urban vehicle access policy (LEZ/ZEZ), collaborative logistics and multimodal transport,…

Where relevant, these projects should take into account new technologies and solutions arising from activities within the Horizon Europe programme.

In addition, transport interoperability is pursued through new technologies and innovation, including automation, integrated management of infrastructure capacity and traffic, developments in the field of Mobility as a Service.

For applications related to rail (TSI) and aviation (SESAR), we refer you to the colleagues of FPS Mobility and Transport (in Dutch)(opens in new window).

Within this priority, the roll-out of alternative fuels infrastructure for the different modes of transport is envisaged through separate calls for grants within the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFF), where grants will be combined with other forms of financing and blending with InvestEU in line with Articles 6 and 17 of the CEF Regulation:

• Fast charging infrastructure for the road network, with specific attention to long-distance transport, secure parking and heavy transport (buses and freight)
• Hydrogen filling stations for the road network, with specific attention for heavy transport over longer distances.
• Hydrogen infrastructure for rail transport where electrification is difficult and terminals, for public transport and freight transport in urban nodes and related energy storage facilities.
• Alternative fuel infrastructure for maritime ports, inland shipping (ports) and airports in accordance with Directive 2014/94/EU;
• LNG bunkering for TEN-T maritime and inland ports as a transition fuel, with priority for projects focusing on bio-LNG.

Where relevant, these projects should take into account new technologies and solutions arising from activities within the Horizon Europe programme.

Costs related to vehicles and vessels are not eligible, except for inland shipping and short sea shipping. There, a limited number of vessels can be charged to initiate the use of the infrastructure and the co-financing will be limited to the difference between a fossil fuel vessel and the new zero-emission alternatives.

With green hydrogen, it is possible to charge production costs as a synergetic element.

The topic Secure truck parkings focuses on working in line with EU Parking Standard:

• construction of new secure truck parkings
• upgrade of safety and security of existing truck parkings
• improvements in the use of existing car parks through static and dynamic information (collection, processing and dissemination) in line with Delegated Regulation (EU) 885/2013, such as monitoring the accuracy and reliability of data and measurements when using sensors, cameras and other devices. European standards such as DATEX2 must be applied.

These projects should focus on the core network and the nodes.

When running on the extended network, it must be demonstrated that the users mainly use the core network.

Specifically for increasing the safety of road infrastructure, only a topic has been defined within the Cohesion envelope, so projects with implementation in Belgium/Flanders are not eligible for co-financing.

To increase the resilience of infrastructure, a new priority has been included that focuses on improvements with regard to climate change and natural disasters and monitoring systems.

For project submitting under this topic, it must be possible to demonstrate high risks in the event of no action.

Infrastructural interventions in this context can also be carried out as part of projects within the other priorities, interventions in the field of cybersecurity must always be embedded in a larger project within those priorities.

Finally, infrastructure for border controls is also eligible in the coming years. Projects that improve traffic flow are also examined.

When relevant, applicants should coordinate with Interreg IPA-CBC programs.

If the projects within the other priorities involve a so-called dual civil-military use of the infrastructure, this can be submitted under the Military Mobility priority.

In addition, specific efforts can also be made to upgrade sections on the extensive network that also meet the conditions for dual use, but which do not fall under one of the other priorities.

There are also options for aviation, but we refer you to FPS Mobility and Transport (in Dutch)(opens in new window) for this.

The requirements to be met by the different categories for dual civil-military use are laid down in the Implementing Regulation (in Dutch)(opens in new window) resulting from Article 12 of the CEF Regulation.