Trucks block freight traffic at Croatia's borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro

Several hundred trucks have blocked the transport of goods at several border crossings from Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Republic of Croatia in protest because drivers from that country cannot stay in the European Union for more than 90 days in a six-month period. The Association of Transporters of Montenegro has also begun blocking border crossings.

Montenegrin transporters begin blocking border crossings

On Monday, the Association of Transporters of Montenegro began blocking freight traffic near nine border crossings, two of which are with the Republic of Croatia, Debeli brijeg (Karasovići) and Ilino brdo (Vitaljina).

Montenegrin transporters have parked trucks on the extensions near several border crossings and are blocking the passage of all types of freight vehicles, except for those transporting medicines, animals, explosives and weapons.

In addition to the border crossings with the Republic of Croatia, the Vraćenovići, Metaljka, Dračenovac and Ranče crossings with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dobrakovo with Serbia, Kula with Kosovo, Božaj with Albania, as well as the entry and exit from the Montenegrin Port of Bar, are also blocked.

Montenegrin truckers are organizing blockades because they are demanding changes in the amount of excise duty, the refund of which they receive per liter of fuel, a faster refund of VAT, longer working hours of border customs and phytosanitary inspections, changes to ETIAS and benefited work experience.

The protest was reported to the Montenegrin police for the next 72 hours, but the carriers claim that it will last until demands are met.

Montenegrin media report that the suspension of traffic is part of a regional protest by freight carriers from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, due to limiting the duration of stay and work of professional drivers in the Schengen countries to a maximum of 90 days in a period of six months.

The protests are part of a joint, regional action that should also include truck drivers from Serbia and North Macedonia.

Trucks block freight traffic at border crossings between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia

As reported by the organizers of the protest, as well as the Association of Auto-Moto Clubs in Bosnia and Herzegovina based in Mostar, only freight traffic, not passenger traffic, was blocked.

Mirko Ivanović, coordinator of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Logistics Consortium, which brings together transporters from the region, said that the protests in Gradiška would last until further notice.

“That is, until our demands are met, that is how it was planned and agreed,” said Ivanović.

A protest was also organized at the Bijača border crossing. The coordinator there, Mario Odak, said that the drivers will not give up the blockade. The trucks are located about a hundred meters from the border crossings. Unhindered passage is provided for passenger traffic, emergencies, military and medical transport, and the transport of livestock.

The protesters point out that the reason for the protest is the new rule of the European Union, according to which professional drivers can stay in the territory of the EU for only 90 days in six months.

The Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina warned that the blockade could seriously affect the domestic economy and exports. The President of VTK BiH Ahmet Egrlić said that, although the Chamber supports the demands of transporters, radical measures that threaten the flow of goods are not acceptable. According to him, 73 percent of Bosnia and Herzegovina's total exports go to the EU market, which further emphasizes the seriousness of the situation.

Source: HRT