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EU Posts €36.3 Billion Transport Services Surplus In 2024

Strong Global Position In Transport Services

The European Union has secured a €36.3 billion surplus in transport services for 2024, underscoring its robust position in the international transport market. According to data released by Eurostat, EU countries exported transport services valued at €258.7 billion, while imports were recorded at €222.4 billion.

Resilient Growth And Market Stabilisation

Export and import values increased compared with 2023. Exports rose by 3.6%, while imports grew by 4.7% year-on-year.

Eurostat said the increase follows a period of stabilisation after a surge in transport service values in 2022, driven by higher energy costs. Data show a consistent pattern in the sector between 2014 and 2024.

Key Trading Partners Driving Growth

The United States was the largest destination for EU transport service exports in 2024, accounting for €45.9 billion, or 17.8% of the total. The United Kingdom followed with €35.6 billion (13.7%).

Switzerland and China, excluding Hong Kong, accounted for €21.4 billion (8.3%) and €20.5 billion (7.9%) respectively. Singapore ranked next with €11.2 billion, representing 4.3% of exports.

Reciprocal Trade Dynamics

Leading export markets were also among the main suppliers of transport services to the EU. Imports from the United States totaled €35.6 billion, or 16.0% of the total.

The United Kingdom followed with €24.1 billion (10.8%), while China accounted for €16.9 billion (7.6%). Switzerland and Singapore contributed €15.1 billion (6.8%) and €11.9 billion (5.3%) respectively.

Market Outlook

The data reflect continued trade flows in transport services between the EU and its main partners. Figures also indicate stable demand across key international markets.

Passkeys Are The Gold Standard For Account Security. So Why Don’t More Major Apps Offer Them?

Passkeys are increasingly being promoted as one of the most effective ways to protect online accounts. By reducing reliance on passwords, they help prevent phishing attacks, simplify sign-ins and strengthen account security. Despite those advantages, however, many major digital platforms have yet to adopt the technology.

A Security Upgrade Still Missing At Scale

That gap is the focus of whynopasskeys.com, a new site created by security researcher Scott Helme to highlight companies that have not yet enabled passkeys for their users. The site tracks major consumer brands that continue to rely on older login methods even as passkeys become the industry standard.

Among the services still without passkey support are Instagram, Netflix and Spotify, according to the site’s data.

Why Passkeys Matter

Unlike traditional passwords, passkeys are generated on a user’s device and linked both to that device and to a specific website or application. Authentication can be completed through biometrics such as Face ID or Touch ID, a hardware security key or a password manager.

Because users do not need to create or remember passwords, opportunities for credential theft, phishing attacks and password reuse are significantly reduced. In most cases, gaining access to an account would require direct access to the user’s device.

Public Accountability As A Pressure Tactic

In a blog post explaining the project, Helme said the goal is to create pressure by making the absence of passkey support visible. “A list is a surprisingly effective motivator. Nobody wants to be on the list,” he wrote.

That approach has already worked elsewhere in cybersecurity: when businesses are publicly compared against peers on basic protections, they often move faster to close the gap. In this case, the list is intended to push platforms to give users a stronger and simpler login option.

The Companies Moving Faster

Many large technology companies have already adopted passkeys, including Apple, Google and Microsoft, reflecting the technology’s growing role in account security.

Implementation, however, remains uneven. Instagram users can currently access passkeys only when their account is linked to a Facebook account that already has passkey support enabled, highlighting differences in adoption even within the same company.

The Bigger Business Question

Meta has not publicly explained why passkeys are available on some of its platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp, but not fully across Instagram.

Debate within the industry is no longer centred on whether passkeys work, but on how quickly companies are willing to deploy them. As phishing, credential theft and account fraud remain persistent cybersecurity challenges, passkeys are increasingly being viewed not as an optional feature but as an emerging security standard.

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