It’s never been this bad before. The Polish transport industry is collapsing before our eyes

Protest przewoźników na granicy

The road transport sector in Poland is facing a serious crisis. Carriers are appealing for help, warning against bankruptcies and bankruptcies. Will politicians react in time?

A few months after the protests of the West Pomeranian Road Carriers Association, the transport industry is still struggling with serious problems, and the situation seems to be even more dramatic than before. The road transport industry, which is one of the pillars of the TSL sector (Transport, Forwarding, Logistics), is struggling with challenges related to the current geopolitical situation, as well as EU regulations, which significantly affect the competitiveness of Polish companies.

According to Hanna Mojsiuk, president of the Northern Chamber of Commerce in Szczecin, a quick reaction from politicians is necessary, both at the national and European level, to prevent mass bankruptcies and bankruptcies in the industry. The Northern Chamber of Commerce continues to appeal to parliamentarians and MEPs to pay more attention to road transport problems.

Poland, once a transport power, is now struggling with a crisis

Data from the West Pomeranian Road Carriers Association show that there is a record number of bankruptcies and suspended business activities. Small transport companies are in the most difficult situation as they have to cope with rising costs and at the same time are unable to increase the prices of services due to too much competition. The lack of orders and high operating costs mean that more and more enterprises suspend their operations or are forced to restructure. What’s worse, despite numerous appeals from carriers, since December 2023, the government has not taken any specific actions to support the industry.

Dariusz Matulewicz, president of the West Pomeranian Road Carriers Association, openly talks about his disappointment with the approach of the government, who do not intend to take action even on issues as basic as ZUS contributions or tachograph fees. – More and more companies suspend their operations and the scale of restructuring is growing – comments Matulewicz, adding that the situation is so difficult that more and more companies simply disappear from the market.

Geopolitics and EU regulations are deepening the crisis

Laura Hołowacz, president of the CSL Group, also comments on the difficult situation of the TSL sector. According to her, Polish road transport, which for many years was one of the powers on the European market, is currently struggling with serious problems. This is influenced by, among others: war in Ukraine, effects of the pandemic, high inflation and reduced number of import orders. The situation is further aggravated by the delay in the payment of funds from the European Union and the EU Mobility Package, which imposes a number of regulations on Polish carriers that hamper their operations.

– Road transport is the basis of our TSL industry – explains Hołowacz. – We do not have a developed railway infrastructure, and sea transport has numerous limitations. Therefore, it is necessary to support road carriers, who are the backbone of the logistics sector.

The transport industry is a leader among companies subject to debt collection

According to Hanna Mojsiuk, president of the Northern Chamber of Commerce, the TSL sector requires immediate intervention from the government. However, appeals addressed to the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy so far have not brought the desired results. However, the Northern Chamber of Commerce does not intend to give up and will continue to hold talks with politicians on the situation of road carriers.

– Our economy cannot afford to weaken the road transport sector, especially in the West Pomeranian region, which has great potential in the development of logistics – points out Mojsiuk. – What is happening on the global transport market also has a strong impact on our region

Małgorzata Marczulewska, a debt collector, points out that road transport has now become the leader among the industries covered by debt collection activities, overtaking sectors such as trade, catering and construction. – Entrepreneurs are increasingly talking about suspending their operations, selling off their assets and layoffs – emphasizes Marczulewska, which further shows the scale of the problem.

The Northern Chamber of Commerce announced that it will keep us updated on the actions taken to support road carriers during this difficult period.

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