“This is a disaster,” said the head of the Association of International Transporters of Ukraine, Vladimir Balin. According to him, if the Polish strike lasts a few more weeks, then Ukraine’s financial year can be considered closed, since the traditional Christmas break in Europe will begin in mid-December.
Balin said Ukrainian truckers are now forced to enter Europe via longer routes through Romania and Hungary. As a result, this caused an increase in queues at other borders, in addition to the Polish one, RIA Novosti. Up to 50 percent of Ukrainian trade flows through Poland, Balin added, warning of huge losses for the economy.
According to the head of the association of international carriers and owner of one of the Ukrainian transport companies, Viktor Berestenko, due to queues, Ukraine’s borders may be “restricted for travel” everywhere, and the average heavy cargo flight Price increase between 300 and 500 euros.
Meanwhile, foreign counterparts are already trying to replace Ukrainian products at the expense of other countries, said the head of the Federation of Employers of Ukraine, Dmitry Oleynik. It is noted that November-December is the time to conclude contracts for next year, but European companies are wondering whether it is worth extending the contracts if logistics are added to the already existing war risks in Ukraine.
Let us remember that Polish truckers are holding protests on the border with Ukraine because they are losing competition with Ukrainian transporters due to the low prices for their services. Poles complain that Ukrainians transport goods within Poland itself and are also engaged in transport from Poland to third countries, while the cost of transport for Ukrainians is much lower.
