Esporg

18/09/2026

ESPORG attended IAA TRANSPORTATION 2026

This week, ESPORG General Manager Dirk Penasse, Delegate of the Board Frédéric Maas and Road Safety & Technical Advisor Marc Van Grootel were in Hannover, connecting with industry partners, exchanging ideas and discussing the future of safe, secure and sustainable road transport in Europe.

Valuable conversations. Fresh perspectives. Stronger partnerships.

16/09/2026

On 15 September, ESPORG joined the European Labour Authority (ELA) and Belgium’s Social Information and Investigation Service ( SIIS ) in Antwerp for an information seminar dedicated to road transport operators — addresing key EU policy, enforcement, safe and secure parking, and the realities faced by professional drivers.

The seminar brought together key perspectives from Belgian Federal Minister Rob Beenders 🦻🇧🇪, Minister of Consumer Protection, the Fight against Social Fraud, Persons with Disabilities and Equal Opportunities; Ana de Miranda, European Commission, DG MOVE; Ivan Mekinda, European Labour Authority; as well as SIIS - SIRS - SIOD and enforcement authorities from Belgium and France.

🔹 Dirk Penasse, General Manager of ESPORG, highlighted the key role of Safe and Secure Parking Areas (SSPAs):

“Parking has evolved from being a simple infrastructure to becoming a service hub and a strategic asset.”

Europe needs more capacity, but also parking infrastructure that combines security, quality services, digitalisation, sustainability and driver wellbeing.

💙 Druselia Betea, Head of the Ewellin - European Wellbeing Initiative powered by ESPORG, put the person behind the wheel at the centre of the discussion, presenting the “Home Away from Home” vision for parking areas where drivers can rest safely, recover and feel respected as professionals.

“Only by working together — every part of the supply chain doing its best — can we truly improve drivers’ wellbeing.”

One message connected the discussions: effective road transport rules need the right parking infrastructure behind them — and professional drivers must remain at the heart of that infrastructure.

👉 Read the full InTransit article for the key messages from the ELA–SIIS–ESPORG event in Antwerp:

https://esporg.eu/2026/09/16/succeed-in-the-single-market-ela-siis-esporg-seminar-for-transport-operators-in-antwerp/

14/09/2026

On 13 September, the European Labour Authority (ELA) brought its information roadshow directly to professional HGV drivers at an ESPORG member parking area Gold certified under EU Parking Standard - Circle K Belgium – Jabbeke North richt. Oostende E40.

ESPORG General Manager Dirk Penasse was on site together with ELA Ivan Mekinda, Johan Staes, CEO of Transport en Logistiek Vlaanderen (TLV) — a valued ESPORG member and representatives of the ETF - European Transport Workers' Federation) and Belgian trade unions BTB ABVV, and ACV.

At the heart of the day was a simple but important principle: meet professional drivers where they work and stop, on the road. A key highlight was the soft launch of a permanent ELA Information Corner at the secure parking area member of ESPORG:
“ The launch of the ELA Information Corner at Circle K Belgium – Jabbeke North is a great example of how we can bring reliable information and support directly to drivers where they actually stop — and the EU Parking Standard-certified ESPORG members offer an ideal venue to do so.”
— Dirk Penasse, General Manager, 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...