3,300 Trucks Still Queuing as Polish Carrier Protests Snarl Ukraine Border on 29 December

Efforts by Warsaw and Kyiv to end a seven-week blockade by Polish truckers have yet to clear the logjam at major crossing points. As of the morning of 29 December, Poland’s Border Guard reported roughly 3,300 freight trucks waiting to enter Ukraine via Rava-Ruska/Hrebenne, Krakivets/Korczowa and Yahodyn/Dorohusk. At some lanes the wait tops 60 hours, stranding automotive and agri-food cargo critical to regional supply chains.

Polish drivers began the protest on 6 November over what they see as unfair competition from permit-free Ukrainian hauliers. Despite a 22 December government-brokered “action plan,” demonstrators continue to allow through only one vehicle per hour, exempting humanitarian and perishable loads.



For multinational manufacturers that rely on just-in-time parts flows between Polish and Ukrainian plants, the disruption is already biting. Two Tier-1 auto suppliers in Silesia told the Polish Employers’ Confederation they will halt weekend shifts if the queues persist past New Year, potentially affecting 3,000 workers. Logistics firms are diverting via Slovakia, adding 250 km and up to €600 per round-trip.

Global mobility teams should warn assignees that the affected crossings remain unpredictable; staff travel for audits or maintenance visits should be rerouted or postponed. Employers shipping household goods to relocating employees may incur demurrage charges if trucks miss ferry slots at Gdańsk–Karlskrona and other Baltic routes.