03 Jan 2024 | 03:14 PM UTC
Poland, Ukraine: Truck drivers' protests at border crossings likely to continue through at least mid-January /update 7
Truckers' protests at Polish-Ukrainian border crossings likely to continue through at least mid-January; freight delays ongoing.
Polish truck drivers' protests will likely continue at the Polish-Ukrainian border into mid-January, blocking freight traffic. The protesting truckers demand that authorities stop allowing Ukrainian truck drivers to access the EU without permits.
On Jan. 3, Polish farmers announced plans to resume the blockade at the Medyka-Shehyni border crossing. This came after the demonstration at this crossing was suspended on Dec. 25. Previously, truckers had temporarily lifted the blockade at the Dorohusk-Yahodyn border crossing point on Dec. 11. The temporary suspension of demonstrators ended the following day.
Temporary suspensions in single border crossing points might occur unannounced and are likely to remain isolated and short-lived. As of early January, Polish truck drivers continue to hold blockades in Korczowa-Krakowiec, Hrebenne-Rava-Ruska, and Dorohusk-Yahodyn. Local farmers joined the protest at the Dorohusk-Yahodyn border crossing point on Dec. 18 to denounce the presence of Ukrainian grain in the EU market, causing loss to Polish producers. Agricultural workers could join protesting truck drivers in other border crossing points through early January.
Increased security is likely near active protest locations. Alternative means of transport and border crossings will likely experience increased demand and traffic. Temporary goods shortages remain possible. Clashes are possible in areas that are subject to related protest activity.
Plan accordingly for severe delays to freight shipments transiting the Polish-Ukrainian border for the duration of the protest actions. Confirm the status of border crossings before routing shipments across the border. Allow additional travel time in the vicinity of the shared border. Heed instructions from security services. Leave the area at the first sign of a confrontation. Do not attempt to pass through any roadblocks.
Polish truckers have blocked cross-border traffic at multiple crossing points along the Polish-Ukrainian border since Nov. 6. Reports indicate that freight traffic seeking alternative routes has prompted lengthy queues and delays at border crossing points from Ukraine into Hungary and Slovakia. Counterdemonstrations by Ukrainian truck drivers are possible in shared border areas and may intensify disruptions.
