Exports from Ukraine are under attack: Poland repairs border crossing points in high season
8 October 15:04
Due to large-scale repair work being carried out simultaneously at many border crossings, queues of trucks leaving Ukraine have again increased to 5-7 days. This was announced by Viktor Kozak, chairman of the Regional Council of the Association of International Road Carriers of Rivne and Volyn regions, in an interview with Espresso.Zakhid, Komersant ukrainskyi reports.
Kozak said that last year there were problems at the border because of strikes first by Polish carriers and then by farmers. And it was during this season – the autumn period when Ukraine sells grain and buys goods for import.
“This year, there were no strikes, but at all checkpoints on the Polish side, repairs were started simultaneously. And it’s at the peak of the season, because by the end of the year the turnover of goods always accelerates and it is important that the border crossing is as fast as possible,” Kozak said.
According to him, the queues have increased significantly at all Ukrainian-Polish border crossing points.
It is noted that on 1 October, the Nyzhankovychi – Malhowice checkpoint, which was used to let empty trucks pass to Poland, was closed. It was completely closed, and the queues at Ustyluh, which is also used for empty trucks, increased. They were even up to 12 days long. At other checkpoints, the queues grew to 5-7 days
However, the expert is hopeful that the situation will improve at Yahodyne, the largest cargo crossing point, where repairs have recently been completed, which will speed up the passage of vehicles.
He explained that according to a memorandum between Ukraine and Poland, a quota of 680 vehicles was set for daily crossing, but only 400 were allowed through on average. This led to the accumulation of queues, although there are none on the Polish side.
“At the same time, 600 to 700 cars were coming our way per day, so there are no queues on the Polish side. That is, there are no complaints about the Ukrainian side,” explained the chairman of the Regional Council of the Association of International Road Carriers of Rivne and Volyn Regions.
Increased border crossing time has a negative impact on the work of logistics companies and exporters, slowing down trade.
“A truck turns from a transport vehicle into a warehouse and makes fewer trips than it should. It takes much less time to transport from Ukraine to Poland, Germany or further afield than it does to stand in a queue. As a result, our transport profitability decreases, and so does our turnover. Of course, this negatively affects the export of goods from Ukraine,” Kozak concluded.
Earlier it was reported that repairs at the Medyka-Shehyni border crossing point in Poland had begun. This may lead to traffic complications. The work is scheduled to be completed on 12 November 2024.
on 30 September, the Nyzhankovychi – Malhowice checkpoint on the border with Poland temporarily ceased operations. Construction works are underway there.
on 2 October, repairs to the roadway began at the Rava-Ruska-Krebenne border crossing point, which may lead to traffic difficulties.
