We have still not reached an agreement with Russia regarding transport permits. It is expected that the Russian Federation will change the regulations, but this will take at least a few months.
Although we could announce the success of the Polish side in negotiations with Russia – the Russians agreed to numerous concessions – this does not apply to the transition period. The regulations in this form, which is unacceptable to Polish carriers, will remain in force until formal changes to the law are introduced. It is worth remembering that the negotiations have been ongoing for many weeks. The representatives of the Polish transport industry and the ministry met with the Russians for the first time before Christmas, but no agreement was reached, nor was it reached during several subsequent talks. Polish trucks had to leave the territory of the Russian Federation by February 15.
First MiLoG, then problems with Russia
Russia’s stance is another blow to the Polish transport industry. At the beginning of last year, many carriers gave up on transport to Germany, which resulted from Berlin’s introduction of the MiLoG minimum wage act – which also applies to Polish drivers. Other member states are following in Germany’s footsteps – in France, the Loi Macron regulations are to come into force within the next few months, and the Italians are also arguing for the need to standardize the level of wages for drivers from all member states at the European level.
– The aforementioned introduced or planned changes in regulations aimed at limiting the availability of certain markets to companies and workers from the East further exacerbate the problem of illegal immigration and the horrendous penalties for their unauthorized entry into a vehicle. This is not a good period for transport companies – emphasizes Paweł Bartoszuk, manager of the Polish branch of the cargo and transport exchange Cargo.PL.
Promising market: Lithuania
Polish carriers are therefore looking for new markets for their services. After the provisions of the MiLoG act came into force, many companies renewed trade contacts with Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Romania, etc., but we can consider Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia as the most profitable directions. Lithuania generates nearly half of the GDP of the Baltic states, has a highly qualified workforce, and additionally, perfectly developed transport infrastructure with modern logistics centers in Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipėda. The country’s location is key here – communication routes connecting the European Union countries with CIS countries intersect in Lithuania. And what is more, Lithuanian producers, forwarders, and carriers are still actively looking for permanent business partners in the Union. It is therefore quite reasonable for us to respond to the restrictions from the Russian side by expanding contacts with Lithuania. For several years now, trade turnover between Poland and Lithuania has remained at the level of approx. 3.5 billion euros. In search of transport orders, it is worth betting on a proven platform providing contacts to verified Lithuanian producers, forwarders, and carriers.
– Cargo.PL cooperates intensively with the Cargo.LT exchange. This means access to over 25,000 Lithuanian, Latvian, and Estonian companies and the possibility of intensifying their activities in the East despite the closed access to the Russian Federation – says Paweł Bartoszuk from Cargo.PL. – It is obvious that Polish carriers will look for contact with Lithuanian companies, which can carry out transport to, from, and through Russia without major obstacles.
Russia has proven to Polish carriers that it is not a stable partner on which they can base the operations of their companies. Although the Polish side should strive to normalize relations with the Russian Federation, it is also necessary for it to become independent of its neighbor. The remaining eastern Baltic countries can be a remedy for the troubles with the Russian market.
source: Cargo.pl