Esporg

31/08/2026

Flanders is preparing important upgrades of motorway service areas, with extra truck parking, better driver facilities and charging infrastructure among the priorities.

As reported by Het Belang van Limburg (HBVL), the measures form part of the renewed Strategic Network Plan for Service Areas, presented by Flemish Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder.

“ESPORG welcomes the Flemish Government’s increased attention to truck parking, but Flanders must raise its ambitions. The need is greater than the capacity currently planned, and we have a concrete and financially viable opportunity to act. By combining Flemish investment with European co-funding, we can accelerate the development of the safe and secure truck parking capacity that drivers and the logistics sector urgently need,” said Dirk Penasse, General Manager of ESPORG.

Why plan only 500 to 800 additional truck parking spaces over ten years, when Europe can co-fund up to 50% of a far more ambitious catch-up?

ESPORG therefore calls on Minister Annick De Ridder to make the 2028 CEF call a strategic priority and to prepare a “Flanders Masterplan – Safe and Secure Truck Parking” together with the sector.

Tackle the shortfall today. Use the available European co-funding. Build the capacity Flanders, as a leading logistics region, actually needs.

We must plan today for the mobility of tomorrow.

Read more: https://esporg.eu/2026/08/28/flanders-truck-parking-plans-need-greater-ambition/

Source: [HBVL](https://www.hbvl.be/regio/limburg/tessenderlo-ham/vlaanderen-vernieuwt-snelwegparkings-met-aandacht-voor-vrachtwagens-parking-in-tessenderlo-wordt-uitgebreid/160488839.html)

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Facebook LinkedIn The Flemish Government is preparing a major upgrade of motorway service areas across Flanders, with additional truck parking, improved driver facilities and charging infrastructure among the priorities. The measures form part of the renewed Strategic Network Plan for Service Areas,...

24/08/2026

European transport challenges do not stop at national borders, and neither should the solutions.

Since summer 2026, en Logistiek Vlaanderen (TLV) has joined ESPORG, strengthening the connection between Europe’s safe and secure truck parking network and the transport operators who rely on these facilities every day. Representing more than 1.500 transport and logistics companies in Flanders, TLV brings first-hand knowledge of the realities facing the sector.

For Johan Staes, CEO of TLV, European cooperation is an important part of addressing these challenges:

“Joining ESPORG enables us to exchange knowledge and experiences, to learn from developments in other European countries and to bring the voice of Belgian transport operators into the European debate.”

He also stresses that TLV wants to contribute to solutions that are not only ambitious, but work in practice for both professional drivers and transport operators.

From ESPORG’s perspective, TLV’s partnership also brings the voice of the transport sector closer to the development of Europe’s truck parking network.
As Dirk Penasse, General Manager of ESPORG, explains:

“The challenges facing drivers and transport companies — from safe and secure rest conditions to the energy transition — are European challenges that require practical, cross-border solutions.”

The cooperation of ESPORG and TLV will focus on some of the biggest challenges facing European road transport today: improving driver wellbeing, making the profession more attractive, expanding safe and comfortable rest infrastructure and preparing truck parking areas for the energy transition.

📖 Read the full article:

Facebook LinkedIn Transport & Logistiek Vlaanderen (TLV) is the professional network for companies in transport and logistics in Flanders, Belgium. TLV represents and supports transport operators and SMEs through advocacy, practical advice, industry expertise and services. Since the summer of 2026,....

11/08/2026

Thanks to AERS Groep, Zeebrugge has a new destination for professional drivers.

Located near the Port of Zeebrugge, Aers Truckplaza brings together secure truck parking, driver comfort, refuelling and high-power charging in one strategically positioned location.

For professional drivers, Aers Truckplaza provides 140 secure truck parking spaces, supported by extensive CCTV surveillance, secure perimeter fencing and regular security patrols throughout the day and night.

Driver comfort is also an important part of the concept. The facility includes modern sanitary facilities with separate restrooms, washrooms and showers, alongside a restaurant, bakery and spacious convenience store.

At the same time, Aers Truckplaza is looking towards the future of road transport, the site is equipped with ultra-fast charging infrastructure of up to 800 kW for electric trucks.

Located directly at Exit 19 of the A11-E34 motorway and close to the Port of Zeebrugge, the new facility provides an important combination of security, services and accessibility for freight traffic moving through the region.

A special thank you to AERS Groep and everyone involved in developing a facility that puts driver safety, comfort and the future of road transport at the centre.

👉 Discover more about the facility and its services in the article: https://esporg.eu/2026/08/11/aers-truckplaza-opens-integrated-truck-stop-at-strategic-location-in-zeebrugge/

01/08/2026

🚛 Two Sides of the Road: How a Transport Entrepreneur Sees the Future of Logistics

As Director of the family-owned Mattheeuws Eric Transport Group—a Belgian transport and logistics company with roots dating back to 1945—and an ESPORG Board Member, Mathieu Vander Paelt brings a unique perspective on what Europe's hauliers need from secure truck parking.

Leading both an international transport business Transport Denecker and Truck Stop Veurne Romac - Fuels Truckstop & Cleaning, he understands the realities from both sides of the road. In our latest InTransit interview, he explains why secure parking is not just roadside infrastructure, but an essential part of transport operations—supporting drivers, improving efficiency, protecting cargo, strengthening supply chain resilience and making the profession more attractive for future generations.

As Mathieu says: "It is not just about parking. It is about drivers, planning, customers and operational realities."His vision extends beyond parking spaces to creating service hubs where drivers can rest, recharge and feel part of a community:

"Drivers are the captains who deliver the goods we need every day. The world needs to be more grateful to drivers—because without them, nothing happens."

📖 Read the full interview to discover how a family business is building an integrated transport ecosystem through innovation, integrated transport services and a driver-centred approach to secure parking:
https://esporg.eu/2026/07/30/from-both-sides-of-the-road-how-a-transport-entrepreneur-sees-the-future-of-logistics/

Facebook LinkedIn An exclusive interview with Mathieu Vander Paelt – Director of the Mattheeuws Group and ESPORG Board Member since 2024 Mathieu Vander Paelt looks at secure truck parking from both sides of the road: as a succesul transport operator who is also a truck stop operator. As Director o...

31/07/2026

How is the Basque Country setting the benchmark for Europe's secure truck parking?

In our latest InTransit interview, Alfredo Etxeberria Murua, Director General of BIDEGI, ESPORG Board Member and Honorary Wellbeing Campaign Ambassador, shares how strategic public investment, strong public-private partnerships and a relentless focus on driver wellbeing are creating a model for the future of Safe & Secure Truck Parking Areas (SSPAs):

💬 "Every driver, a new friend."

From Gold-certified parking facilities to ambitious expansion plans and a vision for a connected European SSPA network, BIDEGI is proving that investing in drivers means investing in safer, more efficient transport.

“We are all part of Europe, so let us build it together.” - Alfredo Etxeberria Murua, Director General of BIDEGI

📖 Read the full interview and discover how the Basque model is Leading Europe's Secure Parking Transformation: https://esporg.eu/2026/07/28/bidegi-the-basque-country-model-leading-europes-secure-parking-transformation/

30/07/2026

We are pleased to share the ECG - The Association of European Vehicle Logistics interview with ESPORG General Manager Dirk Penasse, originally published by ECG Magazine and avaialble now in InTransit Magazine as part of the ongoing cooperation between ESPORG and ECG.

“We are facilitators, and we work together with ECG to help FVL-drivers, with the sector’s specific requirements for parking areas” says General Manager Dirk Penasse, guiding investors in how to build parking spaces.

📖 Read the full interview:

https://esporg.eu/2026/07/29/ecg-interviews-esporg-building-safe-hubs-for-europes-drivers/

Facebook LinkedIn Source: This interview was originally published in ECG Magazine under the title “Building Safe Hubs for Europe’s Drivers” and is republished in InTransit Magazine as part of the cooperation between ESPORG and ECG . ESPORG drives the building of safe, secure, and sustainable t...

23/07/2026

DEKRA Road Safety Report 2026 Reveals Massive Shortage of Secure Parking: Most Drivers Spend Up to One Hour Searching for a Parking Space
The 19th DEKRA Road Safety Report, published in 2026 under the title Working in Road Traffic, focuses on the road as a workplace.
Jann Fehlauer, Managing Director of DEKRA Automobil GmbH, stresses that improving road safety requires looking beyond vehicles alone: "Safe work zones and construction sites, adequate parking, and reliable organisational workflows are key to eliminating accidents in our everyday working lives."
Kristian Schmidt, EU Road Safety Coordinator at the European Commission, underlines that protecting professional drivers requires investment across the entire transport system: "Their wellbeing is not merely a workplace issue—it is a duty for our society as a whole."
ESPORG General Manager Dirk Penasse said in his statement for DEKRA Report: "A well-rested driver is a safer driver. At ESPORG, we believe that every safe rest is a life saved, every secure stop strengthens the supply chain, and every investment in parking quality moves Europe closer to its Vision Zero goal—safer roads for everyone."
Read more here: https://esporg.eu/2026/07/22/dekra-road-safety-report-2026-reveals-massive-shortage-of-secure-parking-most-drivers-spend-up-to-one-hour-searching-for-a-parking-space/

20/07/2026

The Ewellin - European Wellbeing Initiative powered by ESPORG successfully launched the Women Wellbeing Working Group with its official kick-off meeting on 16 July 2026. Led by Druselia Betea, Head of EWELLIN, this new platform brings together pioneering organisations to address barriers for women in professional road transport and build a more attractive, safe, and inclusive sector.

“Truck drivers already navigate tough realities every day. Women drivers face even more. We want to truly listen to their experiences. Our goal is clear: make truck driving a more attractive, respectful, and supportive profession for women — and ultimately for everyone in the sector.” said Druselia Betea

The meeting highlighted a clear vision: by combining forces across the entire supply chain, the industry can solve the growing driver shortage while advancing gender equality and wellbeing.

This kick-off with leading partners IRU Clara Sánchez López. , American Transportation Research Institute Rebecca Brewster, BSEC-URTA Elif Nuhoglu, BEST MOBILITY – NTA, Republic of North Macedonia Elizabeta Ivanovska, Lady Truckers Caroline Baugniet and ESPORG Mirjam Frakulla lays a strong foundation.

More stakeholders across the supply chain are encouraged to join after the summer to shape research, solutions and training for lasting impact.

👉 Learn more and get involved: https://esporg.eu/2026/07/20/kick-off-of-the-women-wellbeing-working-group-joining-forces-for-safer-more-inclusive-road-transport/

Facebook LinkedIn Brussels, 20 July 2026 — The European Wellbeing Initiative powered by ESPORG successfully launched the Women Wellbeing Working Group with its kick-off meeting on 16 July 2026. Led by Druselia Betea, Head of EWELLIN, this new platform brings together pioneering organisations to ad...

16/07/2026

Pleased to share this article published by Parking Trend International - the European Parking Association (EPA aisbl), based on an interview with ESPORG, highlighting how the EU Parking Standard is transforming Safe and Secure Parking Areas into essential infrastructure for road safety, digitalisation, electrification, driver wellbeing and Europe's resilience.

The article also underlines the collaboration between ESPORG and the European Parking Association (EPA) in advancing common priorities for truck parking and car parking. As ESPORG’s experience demonstrates, issues such as digitalisation, data sharing, electrification and user experience are increasingly shared across the wider mobility ecosystem.

These themes will be explored further during EPA’s EU Policy Forum on Mobility & Parking on 24 September in Dublin, where ESPORG General Manager Dirk Penasse will join the interactive session Beyond the “Parking Bubble”: The Value of Cross-Sector Collaboration, moderated by EPA President Theo Thuis.

📖 Read the full article: https://www.intransitmagazine.eu/2026/07/15/truck-parkings-expanding-role-in-europes-mobility-ecosystem/

06/07/2026

Safe and secure truck parking is a key part of making Europe’s transport network work better, and Smart Park Interporto Bologna is showing how certified parking can be integrated into a major intermodal logistics hub!

Located within Interporto Bologna 🇮🇹, at the intersection of key TEN-T Core Network corridors, Smart Park is a Bronze-certified Safe and Secure Truck Parking Area designed to support both transport operations and the people behind them.

With capacity for 170 heavy goods vehicles, the site combines controlled access, continuous surveillance and lighting with essential services for drivers, including sanitary facilities, showers, rest areas and connectivity.

Its location within the wider Interporto ecosystem also gives drivers and operators access to customs services, truck washing, fuel infrastructure — including HVO and LNG — catering and medical services with dedicated programmes for drivers.

At ESPORG, we are proud to highlight facilities that demonstrate the importance of combining security, certification, driver wellbeing and intermodality. Certified truck parking is not simply a place to stop. It is an essential part of safer freight corridors, better working conditions and a stronger European transport network.

👏 Congratulations to the team behind Smart Park Interporto Bologna, @ for contributing to the development of more secure, connected and driver-focused transport infrastructure.

👉 Read the full article: https://esporg.eu/2026/07/03/smart-park-interporto-bologna-advancing-intermodality-and-the-role-of-certified-parking-in-the-ten-t-network/

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