Carriers in Slovakia are threatening to join their colleagues from Poland and strike at the Ukrainian border.
According to Mukachevo.net, the Union of Slovak Road Carriers (UNAS) is threatening to block the border for Ukrainian carriers from their side if the European Commission does not restore the issuance of commercial permits for transportation within the European Union.
It is noted that large queues of trucks heading to Ukraine have already formed at the border crossing "Vysne Nemecke – Uzhhorod." Priority is given to the transport of perishable goods, animals, and humanitarian aid, with drivers required to present necessary documents for the transported cargo.
Those not carrying perishable goods are experiencing delays of 4-5 days.
According to estimates from the Slovak Association of Transport Companies (CESMAD Slovakia), the traffic of Ukrainian trucks has increased by approximately 600-800% over the past year and a half. This increase is attributed to the war and the blockade of Ukrainian seaports, leading the European Union to waive the permit requirement for Ukrainians.
However, Slovaks claim that this also creates space for numerous violations. Therefore, the Slovak carrier has appealed to the Ministry of Transport of Slovakia to carefully inspect Ukrainians for illegal transshipments, technical negligence of vehicles, and tachograph fraud. Additionally, they have requested the EU Council to restore the permitting procedure for Ukrainian trucks.
The head of UNAS, Stanislav Skala, stated that they will demand the reinstatement of permits for Ukrainian carriers.
"If the European Transport Commission does not do this, UNAS is ready to immediately support Polish carriers at the border and block the border crossing for Ukrainian carriers from the Slovak side," said Skala.
