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MINSK, 12 November (BelTA) – According to Vitalij Gigevič, the owner of the logistics company Velsona and member of the Lithuanian Association of Road Carriers, the Belarus border closure by Vilnius has paralyzed his company while allowing Polish and Latvian competitors to take their contracts, threatening Lithuania’s entire transit sector, Lithuanian media report.
Vitalij Gigevič noted that trailers and tractor units belonging to his company are currently stuck in Belarus.
Lithuania undermines its own transport industry
According to him, Lithuania is acting against the interests of its own carriers. The autumn season is traditionally the peak of earnings in the industry, but this year it has been disrupted. This period from September until New Year is supposed to be our golden time, he said. Instead, Lithuanian companies are facing massive budget gaps, while the government completely ignored business concerns in this situation.
He lamented that “the transit side of Lithuania is losing its status” due to decreasing cargo. The carrier also said that the current situation is a “mockery” of industry representatives and “the death of our business.”
The businessman cited data that 30% of cargo transits through Belarus, and now this route is completely paralyzed. He believes that if “these 30% are lost, the remaining 70% will be lost for Lithuania as well.” “We were simply kicked out. Our earnings and contracts went to the Poles. The Poles have doubled or even tripled their shipping rates,” the company owner says.
Belarus eases situation for stranded drivers
Vitalij Gigevič noted that drivers stuck on the Belarusian territory are forced to live right in their trucks, even though their homes are near the border. He added that the Belarusian side is taking steps to improve the situation for drivers, making “goodwill gestures” to help them “get more decent living standards.”
According to him, carriers cannot leave their vehicles because they hope for a swift border opening and are afraid of missing their spot in the queue if it happens. “We hope that our government will make the right decision to open the border,” the owner of the Lithuanian logistics company said.
The carrier warns that the crisis may affect not only transport companies but the entire logistics business in Lithuania. In his opinion, this will impact parking lots, warehouses, cafes, restaurants, repair shops, services, and spare parts businesses. He also noted that it was harsh to “celebrate the border closure as an achievement” while “strangling the transport companies.”
Vitalij Gigevič stated that carriers do not want an escalation of the conflict but are prepared to take action if they are not heard. He emphasized that the Lithuanian government must address its mistakes and reconsider the decisions that led to the crisis. “We want the government to hear us. We want to work peacefully,” he said, adding that the best solution in the current situation is “opening the borders and admitting mistakes.”
Call for diplomatic dialogue with Minsk
The Presidium of LINAVA called on Lithuania’s government to begin “at least minimal diplomatic engagement with Minsk” as soon as possible. On 11 November, LINAVA published an official statement saying that the Lithuanian government’s decision to close the border with Belarus has become a severe economic blockade for carriers. The association called for opening at least one border checkpoint, ensuring the security and evacuation of carriers, and preparing measures to compensate for losses.
LINAVA Vice President Oleg Tarasov stated that if the situation with trucks stranded in Belarus is not resolved by the end of November, it would be disastrous for Lithuanian freight carriers. According to Oleg Tarasov, the trucks contain goods for various EU countries, with the lion’s share of cargo transiting through Belarus to further destinations, and very little remaining in Lithuania. He also mentioned that the trucks may carry food, medications, clothing, and industrial goods, and it is unclear what will happen to these shipments. The carriers’ representative pointed out that a force majeure situation has not been declared, meaning if a carrier fails to deliver the goods within 30 days, the consignee has the right to refuse them.
In a letter to Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė, LINAVA said that the current situation poses a serious threat to numerous jobs and the stability of the entire transport sector.
Dissatisfied carriers are currently considering blocking roads in Lithuania in protest against the border closure. It was noted that the LINAVA meeting would be held on 12 November, where carriers would discuss further actions. If the border remains closed and the government fails to take concrete decisions by that time, carriers would consider organizing protests both in Lithuania and in Brussels.
Lithuanian authorities’ response and “emotional exaggeration”
However, the Lithuanian authorities are unwilling to listen to the arguments and appeals of their country’s business representatives. The Lithuanian prime minister described the recent demands from Lithuanian carriers to open the border as an “emotional exaggeration.” She also stated that Lithuanian carriers should have “prepared for such situations in advance” and “assessed the risks themselves.” Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys declared that the border would not be reopened.
Lithuanian carriers are outraged by Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė’s response to their complaints, Baltnews reports.
Meanwhile, unlike the officials in Vilnius, the Belarusian side is doing everything possible to assist the stranded drivers. As noted by Belarusian Deputy Minister of Healthcare Svetlana Nechai, all necessary conditions have been created for the drivers of Lithuanian trucks awaiting the border opening. This includes the prompt deployment of additional retail facilities and catering services. Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko had earlier instructed to hold negotiations with Lithuanian officials to normalize the situation at the border.
On 29 October, the Lithuanian authorities closed the road border with Belarus for one month. Traffic through the Šalčininkai (Beniakoni on the Belarusian side) checkpoint was completely suspended, while operations at the Medininkai (Kamenny Log on the Belarusian side) checkpoint were limited to exceptions.
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