This time of year is a time to take stock of what the year has brought us and to look ahead to the next year and predict (or at least try to) what is to come so that we can be prepared.

2025 has brought numerous changes for the transport sector, both in general and in the specific field of food liquid transport, in the context of new regulations and the overall growth of the sector, which has been boosted by the recovery of industrial production and the increase in private consumption, factors that have increased the demand for freight transport in general.

Within this scenario, refrigerated and specialised transport — such as that provided by our isothermal tanks for food liquids — has consolidated its strategic importance due to the sustained growth of sectors such as the food industry, which requires safe and reliable cold chain solutions, as indicated by Future Market Insights.

2025 in terms of regulation

In terms of regulations, 2025 has brought some significant changes that affect us in terms of changes to our procedures:

• The definitive end of analogue and digital tachographs, to be replaced exclusively by smart terminals, as we reported in our blog back in February
• The change to 44 tonnes. This is undoubtedly the most significant regulatory change in recent years, which came into force in 2025 at the legislative level but will be progressively implemented in 2026. We explained the details at the end of October. This is a somewhat complicated development for international transport, but one that will undoubtedly have benefits for the transport sector (hopefully shared between operators, shippers and carriers).
• The definition and implementation of the eCMR for countries that are signatories to the Geneva Convention.
• The amendment to the Royal Decree regulating the transport of animal by-products or SANDACH, implementing traceability of movements of by-products not intended for human consumption, ensuring compliance with regulations establishing the mandatory use of isothermal tanks, trailers and containers exclusively for the transport of liquid foodstuffs for human consumption.
• Finally, this year leaves us with a surprise, which is none other than the moratorium on the decarbonisation process. Although we recognise that this is a necessary goal, the existing infrastructure and its progress set an implementation agenda that differs from that of the authorities.

2025 for Rios Sangiao

2025 has been a great year for Rios Sangiao, in which we have maintained the trust and commitment of our customers. We have made a significant investment in renewing our vehicle fleet, making it more efficient and sustainable. We have collaborated with social causes in our community, strengthened relationships through hard work and punctual deliveries, and improved our image with a website that better communicates our values.

We look forward to 2026 with enthusiasm and a desire to develop our business in the same way we have done until now, in accordance with our business and social principles. Imagining the company we want in the world we want.

Happy holidays and happy 2026.

25 November was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and there has obviously been a notable decrease in the number of statements, publications and demonstrations in general in support of this date.

At our food liquid transport company, we believe that this day cannot be just adate on the calendar, but rather must represent an attitude and a commitment on the part of everyone at Rios Sangiao. We must maintain a clear and unequivocal position of zero tolerance towards gender violence every day, preventing, not tolerating, combating and prosecuting any manifestation of sexual harassment or harassment on the grounds of sex. To this end, we have a protocol for dealing with cases of gender violence, which we outlined in our previous publication.

This protocol, apart from being a declaration of intent, is a fundamental tool, firstly to provide security to any victim of gender violence and secondly to deal with any incident of this type without improvisation, swiftly and confidentially.

Our protocol combines three types of measures:

• Preventive measures: statement of principles, definition of sexual harassment and gender-based harassment, and identification of behaviours
• Proactive or procedural measures to deal with harassment: to provide a channel for any complaints or reports that may arise and applicable precautionary and/or corrective measures.
• Identification of reactive measures against harassment: and, where appropriate, the disciplinary regime.

The procedure, which from submission to resolution should not take longer than 15 days, goes through different phases:

• Submission of the complaint to the person in the company designated for this matter
• Activation of the protocol
• Informative file
• Resolution of the harassment case
• Follow-up

If the evidence indicates that harassment has occurred, the investigator will urge disciplinary measures to be taken in the report's conclusions and may even propose the disciplinary dismissal of the perpetrator in very serious cases.

The application of this type of protocol is Rios Sangiao's response to a social reality that needs to be improved and is part of our vision of our role as a company within a global context, which is in line with our way of doing things.

We believe that the excellence we strive for in the transport of liquid foodstuffs should also be applied in all areas of the company, including at a social level. This involves renewing our fleets to implement more efficient and less polluting vehicles, caring for and incentivising our staff by retaining talent, and collaborating with Rios Sangiao in social initiatives that promote healthy habits and, ultimately, social well-being.

We want our company, apart from striving for excellence in service with ontime deliveries and exquisite care of our goods, to have a positive impact on its environment and on all the people involved in Rios Sangiao's processes. We want the corporate responsibility that we apply in our work to be applied in general to our way of being.