Reform of Europe’s abnormal transport regulations along with developments in safety and training topped the agenda at ESTA’s productive series of autumn meetings, the most recent of which was held in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 23 and 24 October.
The European association of abnormal road transport and mobile cranes (ESTA) meetings and dinner – and a boat trip around the city’s harbours and canals – were hosted by association member Dansk Kran Forening (the Danish Crane Association) with support from BMS Heavy Cranes. It attracted an audience of users, manufacturers and suppliers from across Europe and beyond.
The agenda covered the latest news on Europe’s plans for pan-European abnormal transport corridors for both military and industrial use, important reforms of the EU’s Weights and Dimensions Directive and ESTA’s proposals to create a system to share anonymously accident information in the same way as happens in the airline industry.
Other issues discussed included the ongoing problems with AdBlue/DEF; ESTA’s best practice guide on the safe use, inspection and maintenance of rope sheaves on mobile cranes; the advantages of using modular road trains and double trailer combinations; plus the development of the European Transport Operator Licence.
Ton Klijn, ESTA director, said, “We owe our Danish colleagues a huge vote of thanks for their hospitality and support. We got through a lot of business and hugely appreciated catching up with old friends and meeting new faces.
“These meetings are important and give our members the opportunity to hear in person about ESTA’s work, to ask questions and make suggestions about our future plans in light of their own experiences.”
The next set of ESTA meetings will take place in Noordwijk in the Netherlands on 16 and 17 April alongside the 2026 ESTA Awards and dinner.
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