Ukrainian Carriers Withdraw En Masse from 'eCherga' Due to Border Blockades

On May 12, 2025, Polish carriers launched a protest at the 'Yahodyn – Dorohusk' checkpoint on the border between Ukraine and Poland. Protesters limited the movement of cargo vehicles to one truck per hour in each direction, significantly below normal capacity. Buses, humanitarian aid, and fuel shipments are allowed through without restriction. The protests by Polish carriers are driven by dissatisfaction with the removal of tariffs on Ukrainian goods and the access Ukrainian carriers have to European routes. Organizers have stated that the protests could last up to four months unless their demands are met.

In response to the protests, Ukrainian carriers began massively unregistering from the electronic queue system 'eCherga,' used for organizing border crossings at the 'Yahodyn' checkpoint. As a result, the queue length recorded by 'eCherga' dropped sharply overnight between May 12 and 13, from 1,391 vehicles to fewer than 700. Carriers are now seeking alternative routes or checkpoints to avoid extended delays.

The situation is further complicated by Polish carriers claiming alleged discrimination by Ukrainian authorities. They cite delays for Polish trucks on the Ukrainian side and an increase in the number of Ukrainian companies that, in their view, are dominating bilateral and intra-European transportation routes. This competition, they argue, threatens the profitability of Polish transport companies.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's State Customs Service has confirmed reduced activity at the 'Yahodyn' checkpoint. Ukrainian carriers, aiming to avoid delays, are increasingly opting for alternative border crossings, such as 'Rava-Ruska' and 'Krakivets.' However, despite the redistribution of truck traffic, queues are also forming at other checkpoints, creating additional challenges for logistics chains.

Experts note that these protests and blockades negatively impact both the Ukrainian and Polish economies. Each day of truck idling is estimated to cost hundreds of thousands of euros in losses. Furthermore, Ukrainian companies face delivery delays, leading to contract disruptions and increased logistics costs. This situation requires urgent intervention from both sides to prevent further deterioration of bilateral relations.

Currently, Ukrainian authorities are negotiating with their Polish counterparts to find a compromise. Measures to improve border crossing capacity and revise the conditions of the 'eCherga' system are being proposed. However, no specific agreements have been reached yet, and the situation remains tense.