The European Secure Parking Organisation (ESPORG) fully endorses the strong position taken by the Mobility Council of Flanders (MORA) on the acute shortage of truck parking spaces in the region. In its statement of 27 April 2026, MORA rightly describes the situation as structurally unresolved, driven by fragmented responsibilities and a lack of coordinated policy — a reality that undermines driver wellbeing, road safety and Flanders’ hard-earned reputation as one of Europe’s premier logistics gateways.
MORA’s figures speak for themselves: demand now stands at around 11,000 parking spaces while only approximately 3,700 dedicated places are available. The consequences are visible every day — trucks parked on hard shoulders, on- and off-ramps and in residential areas, creating unacceptable safety risks and diminishing quality of life for drivers and local communities alike.
“ESPORG fully aligns with MORA’s analysis,” said Dirk Penasse, General Manager of ESPORG. “The shortage of secure parking in Flanders is more than critical. The working conditions of truck drivers are no longer socially acceptable. Not to mention the working conditions of female truck drivers. The same applies to road safety, the shortage of truck drivers, crime… European Commission Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu, together with ESPORG, ETF and IRU, visited various truck parking areas in Flanders on September 4, 2025. You can read the report on this visit here: https://lnkd.in/dphn52mK
It is already too late, but with political will, we can now make up for lost ground. Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works Annick De Ridder (N-VA) must act now. ESPORG is ready to share its expertise with the Ministry of Mobility in Flanders..”
For more than 15 years, ESPORG has worked with the European Commission, national and regional authorities, and parking operators to develop EU network of secure parking areas and to implement their legal certification according to the EU Parking Standard. Facilities certified under this standard guarantee the highest levels of security, service quality and driver comfort. Building on this foundation, ESPORG launched the Voluntary Green Truck Parking Standard in January 2026 — a four-level certification scheme that rewards operators for measurable progress in sustainability, from energy efficiency and waste management to reduced emissions.
Flanders already has EU-certified Safe & Secure Truck Parking Areas. These successful examples demonstrate how professional parking solutions can enhance logistics efficiency while protecting drivers and cargo. ESPORG’s network of certified operators and its annual Excellence in Truck Parking Awards provide a ready-made knowledge base that the Flemish Government and transport regions can draw upon immediately.
Specifically, the MORA proposes that Flanders make agreements with each transport region regarding the number, locations, and types of parking facilities. This can be coordinated by the existing consultation platform established within the Department of Mobility and Public Works. This platform must also prepare for the realization of additional parking capacity. In this respect, MORA proposes a number of ‘quick wins’: “Let us first optimize the available space. A redesign of existing parking areas, combined with the use of digital tools and telematics to guide drivers to available spaces, can significantly increase efficiency. In addition, the enforcement of driving and rest times must be intensified.”
In the longer term, MORA advocates for new parking locations outside motorways, the inclusion of truck parking standards in permitting procedures for new businesses and industrial estates, and the use of kilometre-charge revenues to finance visible, high-quality infrastructure.
ESPORG strongly supports these ideas, standing ready to contribute its proven expertise and to collaborate fully with the Flemish Government, MORA, transport regions and all relevant stakeholders. By combining MORA’s clear policy vision with ESPORG’s technical standards, certification know-how and European best-practice network, Flanders can transform today’s crisis into tomorrow’s benchmark for safe, secure and green truck parking.
Source: The original statement and analysis appeared in the article “MORA denounces shortage of parking spaces” by Claude Yvens, published on 27 April 2026 (Economy section) here
