Poland’s logistics sector is on the brink of crisis due to a prolonged halt in the transit of Ukrainian agricultural products. While ports in Romania and Germany are profiting from transit operations, Polish terminals are incurring losses and preparing for staff layoffs, reports Rynek Infrastruktury.
For months, Poland’s transport and logistics (TSL) industry has faced a critical challenge: a lack of import cargo and a stoppage in the handling of Ukrainian grain. Laura Gołowacz, CEO of the CSL Group, emphasized in an official press release that the situation requires immediate intervention from the Ministry of Infrastructure and other state authorities.
CSL management highlights the need for a clear distinction between the domestic market and transit capacities.
“We understand that Ukrainian raw materials entering the Polish market is inappropriate. However, allowing transit generates revenue for Polish ports and terminals. Blocking handling operations harms our economy,” said Laura Gołowacz.
According to her, Polish terminals have been virtually empty for over a year despite high operating costs. Meanwhile, countries such as Romania, Germany, and Turkey are successfully processing large volumes of Ukrainian grain, ensuring strict controls to prevent the cargo from entering their domestic markets.
Experts point to several key factors slowing the industry’s development: delays at border processing, which sometimes last several days and affect cargo not only from Ukraine but other directions; many ports closing after eight hours of operation, halting customs clearance despite the availability of electronic systems; and the fact that transit through Poland is fully legal and monitored by national authorities, making artificial restrictions illogical.
The situation in the TSL sector has a direct impact on the national economy. Laura Gołowacz warns that continued neglect of the problem could lead to the bankruptcy of local transport companies and a decline in the country’s GDP.
“We are losing huge sums on rail transport, port services, and freight forwarding. Other countries are developing while we lose ground. This issue needs to be addressed, and concrete action must finally be taken,” concluded CSL’s CEO.
