Polish local transport companies and supervisory authorities express concern over the increase in illegal cabotage in container transport. They call for effective enforcement actions to ensure fair competition and road safety.
The meeting in Gdynia with the participation of the Chief Inspector of Road Transport (GITD), Artur Czapiewski, was an important moment in the discussion about illegal cabotage in container transport. Czapiewski, aware of the growing problem, attended the meeting to listen to observations and appeals from local transport companies.
During the discussion, representatives of the Pomeranian Association of Road Carriers (PSPD) emphasized alarming data regarding the number of Ukrainian trucks that appear daily at the Gdańsk terminal Baltic Hub. It is estimated that this is over 300 vehicles, which constitutes a significant proportion of traffic in the area. It is worth noting that some of these vehicles legally carry goods to Ukraine, but there is suspicion that some engage in illegal cabotage in Poland.
An extremely important issue raised during the meeting was the question of the effectiveness of control and supervision. Despite the growing number of Ukrainian trucks on Polish roads, inspection reports do not contain regular reports of illegal cabotage. Statistics presented by PSPD also show surprisingly low effectiveness of Polish controls compared to actions taken by other countries, such as Slovakia. This is a cause for serious concern, especially considering that carriers are calling for an increase in the number of controls and detailed checks of transport documents.
At the end of the meeting, there was also a brief mention of problems within the Polish container industry itself. There was discussion of exceeding permissible total masses and unresolved issues with the operation and inspection of articulated trailers, popularly known as “centipedes.”
The meeting with the Chief Inspector of Road Transport demonstrated the scale of the problem of illegal cabotage in container transport and the need for more effective action by supervisory and control authorities. Whether the appeals of the transport industry will be heard and whether it will be enough to prevent the spread of illegal practices on Polish roads remains to be seen.
Cabotage in road transport refers to the carriage of passengers or goods between points within one country by a vehicle registered in another country. Illegal cabotage, which is a violation of these regulations, leads to unfair competition and may pose a threat to road safety. It is important to take effective enforcement actions to prevent illegal practices and ensure fair competition in the transport market.
Illegal cabotage in container transport is becoming an increasingly serious challenge for the transport industry in Poland. According to data presented by PSPD, over 300 Ukrainian trucks appear daily at the Gdańsk terminal Baltic Hub. This impressive number constitutes a significant proportion of traffic at the terminal. Although some of these vehicles legally carry cargo to Ukraine, there is a serious suspicion that a significant portion engages in illegal cabotage in Poland.
The increase in the number of foreign vehicles on Polish roads is a cause for concern for both local transport companies and supervisory authorities. Illegal cabotage violates fair competition and creates potential risks for road safety. Additionally, the loss of income by domestic carriers resulting from the need to compete with unfair practices of foreign companies is a significant problem.
Faced with such a widespread problem of illegal cabotage, immediate enforcement actions and coordinated efforts of all stakeholders are necessary. Without effective intervention by supervisory authorities and strict enforcement of regulations, illegal cabotage may become an even greater challenge for the Polish transport sector.
Illegal cabotage in container transport disrupts the market and creates unfair competition for local logistics companies, lowering freight rates and increasing the risk of delays and non-compliance with quality standards. This can lead to difficulties in maintaining competitiveness for domestic companies and restrict investment and development in the logistics sector. Effectively combating illegal cabotage requires coordinated enforcement actions and strengthened oversight to ensure fair competition and stability across the entire transport industry.
One of the main factors contributing to illegal cabotage in container transport is inadequate supervision and lack of effective controls. Despite the increasing number of Ukrainian trucks on Polish roads, inspection reports do not regularly include reports of illegal cabotage. This serious shortcoming leaves room for dishonest carriers to operate.
Statistics presented by PSPD demonstrate alarmingly low effectiveness of Polish controls compared to other countries, such as Slovakia. When Slovak authorities began intensified inspections of carriers from Ukraine, irregularities were found in as much as 70 percent of cases. In contrast, the percentage was significantly lower for Polish inspections, suggesting that oversight of foreign equipment in Poland is too weak and inspections are ineffective.
Inadequate supervision and control over illegal cabotage have serious consequences, including violations of competition regulations, threats to road safety, and disruptions to competition in the transport market. Strengthening controls and enforcing regulations are essential to ensure fair competition and safety on the roads.
Representatives of the transport industry have appealed to the Chief Inspector of Road Transport for an increase in the number of inspections and detailed checks of transport documents in light of the growing problem of illegal cabotage. They recommend intensive monitoring of road traffic, especially in areas with high freight traffic, and meticulous verification of all documents to combat unfair practices and ensure fair competition. Effective enforcement actions are crucial for improving the situation in the transport industry and enhancing road safety.
During discussions on illegal cabotage in container transport, issues in the Polish container industry were raised, such as exceeding permissible weights by vehicles and problems with articulated trailers. Addressing these issues requires coordinated efforts from all stakeholders, including supervisory authorities and transport industry representatives, to effectively enforce regulations and enhance road safety.
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