20 March 2024
The topic of decarbonization of the transport sector is one of the most important tasks of Parliament
European. As we mentioned earlier, the agreement must be approved
representatives of the Environment Committee in the European Parliament and the Member States in
Council (Coreper).
The priority goal of the convention is to reduce CO2 emissions, and the best
the most effective way to achieve this goal is to use biofuels. One of them is
HVO100, which is synthetic, renewable and has the same chemical properties as
diesel. What’s more, using it does not require replacing the vehicle fleet.
Unfortunately, the lack of a clear legal framework and high production costs are obstacles
in the use of HVO100 in Poland. However, this does not mean that other countries do not use this fuel.
It is most popular in Scandinavian countries. Another factor that limits him
use, there is a high price, higher than ordinary diesel fuels. Moreover, the transport itself
HVO100 is very expensive.
The Polish Organization of Petroleum Industry and Trade is conducting talks with the state administration
in this case. Julian Michański, Operations and Supply Manager of the Eurowag Group,
emphasizes that introducing new diesel oil to the market and obtaining a license for it
sales require the establishment of quality parameters within the framework of legal regulations.
It will probably be included in the list of fuels with the designation 43.
The European Commission estimates that in 2025 HVO production will increase to 32 million tonnes and five
years later to 39 million tons.
In summary, achieving fully neutral road transport takes time. Are needed
not only legal changes enabling faster introduction of biofuels to the market, but also
equalization of diesel prices. It is also worth remembering that work on the implementation is ongoing
electric trucks, which suggests that the use of biofuels may have a character
temporary.
20 March 2024
Why did Romania accelerate the construction of the road to the border with Ukraine?
In mid-2020, Romania started construction of the A7 motorway, which will run from Bucharest to the border with Ukraine. Interestingly, only 16 kilometers of road were built in 2023. The geopolitical situation contributed to the acceleration of work. Why? Because thanks to this road, Ukraine will bypass countries such as Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. This is especially important considering the strikes and blockades at the border of our country. Not only Romania will benefit here, but also Ukraine, as it will have direct access to Romanian ports. This will be a very important transport corridor. More than 3,000 workers and hundreds of construction vehicles were involved in its construction, and work lasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The motorway is being built in “emergency mode”. It is estimated that the road will be put into operation in the last quarter of 2024.
Consequences for Poland
The consequences for Poland resulting from Ukraine bypassing it may be serious. We are an important transit country for many goods moving to and from Eastern Europe. If Ukraine uses the newly built A7 highway, it will mean a reduction in freight traffic on Polish roads and in transhipment centers. Transport companies may lose their competitiveness, and seaports may lose their importance as transhipment points for goods from Ukraine. Additionally, reducing Poland’s role as a transit country may affect the Polish economy. Less traffic will translate into reduced profits for transport companies and slower development of logistics infrastructure.
20 March 2024
Due to the applicable EU Road Tolls Directive, all member states must add the cost of CO2 emissions to the basic toll rate. These regulations should be implemented by March 25, 2024. As we wrote in an earlier article, Germany introduced this fee in December 2023, while Austria and Lithuania introduced it at the beginning of this year. According to the parliament’s work schedule, similar changes in Poland will most likely come into force from October. It is worth noting that road tolls in the country have already increased by 15%.
Experts predict that not only the rates for road networks will increase, but also their length. Moreover, the railway industry demands equalization of fees in road and rail transport. Deputy Minister of Infrastructure for Railways Piotr Malepszak emphasizes that “Freight carriers (…) pay fees for each kilometer traveled on the tracks. Meanwhile, road carriers pay for access to less than 1 percent of the public road network.
Will the transport industry have to raise further rates? Will steps be taken to reduce costs for the railways? We will know the answers to these questions soon, but one thing is certain: people working in logistics must constantly monitor changes in tolls, because each country can voluntarily calculate road premiums.
20 March 2024
Blockade of the border crossing with Ukraine
Farmers’ protests affect the difficult situation of transport companies. More roads, highways and border crossings are closed. The road towards the crossing with Ukraine in Dorohusk has been blocked for 35 days. The chairman of the protest, Wojciech Łoś, announced that from March 13. from 1 p.m. farmers will let trucks waiting in line pass through. As he emphasized, “we are opening the border and that’s it, but we don’t know when yet.” Moreover, he noted that the blockade of trucks going from Ukraine to Poland will continue, only Ukrainian drivers coming from Poland will be allowed to pass. The Granica mobile application shows that the current time waiting time at the Dorohusk truck crossing is as long as 327 hours, which is over 13 days. Unfortunately, it is constantly getting longer.
Difficulties on the routes
From March 12 until March 15. until 12:00, the junctions on the A2 motorway are blocked: the Skierniewice, Wiskitki and Łowicz junctions. Trucks cannot use the designated detours and must head towards Sochaczew, Warsaw, Jeżów or Rawa Mazowiecka.
For the next three weeks, from March 13, on the section of national road No. 19, traffic disruptions are expected in the area of the crossing in Barwinek (Polish-Slovak border) due to further farmers’ strikes. The police appealed for alternative routes.
General protest of farmers
The greatest difficulties are expected on March 20. A general protest of farmers covering the entire country is to take place on this day. Municipal and district authorities receive further notifications about planned road blockades. In addition, strikes are expected in provincial cities, as well as demonstrations near offices.
There is information on social media that the A4 motorway on the Brzezimierz – Przylesie section will be blocked for up to 30 days. A similar blockade is planned, among others, on DK19 in Kózki and DK62 in Frankopol. Announcements about the closure of subsequent sections of routes appear more and more often.
Details of organizing strikes in individual regions are currently being determined, but national road paralysis and long queues of trucks throughout Poland can already be predicted.
*as of March 13, 2024. 10 o’clock
