Esporg

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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29/06/2026

🚛 New Online Training on Financing & Funding Truck Parking Projects – Now Available!

ESPORG, together with its official training partner, the European Parking Academy, has launched a new online course:
"Financing and Funding Toolbox for Truck and Commercial Vehicle Parking Areas."

Available through the European Parking Academy's online learning platform, the course provides practical guidance for investors, developers, parking operators, consultants and public authorities seeking to successfully design, finance, build and operate financially sustainable truck parking areas.
Developed by Frédéric Maas, Director of the European Parking Academy, together with Dirk Penasse, General Manager of ESPORG, and expert contributors Stuart Madden and Florin Vladut, members of the ESPORG Board, the program combines business expertise with decades of practical experience in developing and operating Safe and Secure Parking Areas (SSPAs) across Europe.

"Safe and secure parking is no longer just about parking spaces—it has become a service hub for drivers, logistics operators and supply chains. Every location requires a tailored business approach, combining security, connectivity, energy transition and quality services. With more than 390,000 additional parking spaces needed across Europe, we want to help operators build financially sustainable projects that truly respond to the real needs of the industry," said Dirk Penasse, General Manager of ESPORG.
According to Frédéric Maas, Director of the European Parking Academy:
"Financial success begins long before construction starts. The strongest parking projects are designed before the first shovel enters the ground. A robust business case, realistic financial planning and careful project preparation are the foundation of every successful investment. This course provides practical tools that help investors avoid costly mistakes and build projects that remain financially resilient throughout their entire lifecycle."

The new online course is complemented by practical guidance documents, tutorial videos and self-assessment tools. ESPORG members also benefit from access to expert support tailored to their individual projects.

Learn more: https://esporg.eu/2026/06/29/esporg-launches-new-training-program-on-financing-and-funding-truck-parking-projects-now-available-on-the-european-parking-academy/

Facebook LinkedIn Brussels, 29 June 2026 – The European Secure Parking Organization – ESPORG and its official training partner – the European Parking Academy launch today a new online training course: “Financing and Funding Toolbox for Truck and Commercial Vehicle Parking Areas.” Available...

23/06/2026

The Ewellin - European Wellbeing Initiative - EWELLIN, powered by ESPORG with the support of the European Commission, Dedicates 2027 “Work Safe” Year to Female Truck Drivers’ Wellbeing – Launching Europe-Wide Research and Action.

EWELLIN’s Women Wellbeing is part of its flagship “Drive Safe • Park Safe • Work Safe • Live Well” Wellbeing Campaignn.

“Truck drivers already navigate tough realities every day,” said Druselia Betea, Head of the European Wellbeing Initiative. “Women drivers face even more. We want to truly listen to their experiences, understand their specific needs and aspirations, and work together to elevate their wellbeing. Our goal is clear: make truck driving a more attractive, respectful, and supportive profession for women — and ultimately for everyone in the sector.”

To address these challenges head-on, the EWELLIN Initiative is launching the Women Wellbeing Working Group — an inclusive, collaborative platform open to women and men alike.

Call to Action: All interested parties — companies, organisations, and individuals across the transport and logistics chain — are invited to join the Women Wellbeing Working Group. Participation includes disseminating surveys, organising focus groups, and contributing to training development.

Learn more and Register here by the end of June 2026: https://esporg.eu/2026/06/23/european-wellbeing-initiative-dedicates-2027-work-safe-year-to-female-truck-drivers-wellbeing-launching-europe-wide-research-and-action/