Baltic States – CIS, Legislation, Lithuania, Transport

Secretary General of the Lithuanian National Road Carriers Association (Linava) Vidmantas Adomaitis says that haulage using TIR system has decreased significantly and the situation could worsen further if Russia imposes an embargo on vehicle traders. According to him, the loss of one fourth of revenue is a serious challenge to carriers.

Director of TIR Department at Linava, Heliodoras Giedrys, says that in 1-12 September Linava issued 5,353 TIR carnets, which is by one fourth less compared with the same period of 2013, when 7,209 TIR carnets were issued. An overview of a longer period shows a slightly lower decline, from the beginning of 2014 Linava issued by 21% less carnets than in the same period of 2013.

Clearly these restrictions force businessmen to look for new markets. "After autumn started this can be particularly observed in fruit and vegetable sector – new routes are found to where there are no restrictions on goods from the EU. For example, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Serbia," said Giedrys.

Problems related to the Russian restrictions will be one of the most relevant to be addressed at the Commission on Customs Affairs (CAD) of the International Road Transport Union (IRU).

"The IRU is negotiation with Russia's customs service over the cancellation of limitations, we hope for favourable decisions. We will discuss new markets. The IRU activity in China, which joined the TIR system recently, is essential for us. Other organisational issues are also important – carriers' fees to the TIR guarantee fund, how to enhance the system so it is even more beneficial and convenient," Linava Secretary General Vidmantas Adomaitis said.