News

Ukraine Conflict – Logistics Situation

We are very concerned about the current developments in Ukraine and hope that an agreement and an end to the war can be achieved quickly. Our sympathy goes out to the local people who are now suddenly exposed to war and have to fear for their lives!

Below we would like to share with you the current information from the freight forwarding association SLV, particularly relevant to road logistics. It is currently uncertain what impact air freight will have on capacities and prices.

It can be assumed that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine will likely also have an impact on our global supply chain and prices of goods, depending on how the crisis develops. In addition to the disruption, especially in the rail freight sector, the events could also further exacerbate global inflation in the supply chain.

The German medium-sized transport industry is already heavily burdened by constantly rising energy prices. The Europe-wide driver shortage, which will now increase, should also be viewed critically.

Information from the German freight forwarding association on the situation in Ukraine

Ukraine has closed the border crossing points with Belarus . The Ukrainian customs information systems operate intermittently, but some procedures can only be carried out manually. Significant delays in the processing of freight data and customs clearance are therefore to be expected. Transport companies are currently advised to change their itineraries to alternative routes to avoid delays. Polish customs have confirmed that their borders with Ukraine are open. Customs clearance for goods transport to Poland is functioning normally. However, the Polish authorities are currently giving priority to passenger traffic, so trucks and commercial vehicles must expect delays. All border crossings between Moldova and Ukraine are currently open; however, the Kuchurgan border crossing between Ukraine and Transnistria is closed. The International Road Transport Union (IRU) continues to monitor the borders in the region and in particular the queues and problems that commercial drivers may face. In this context, the DSLV is happy to receive information ( RWintjes@dslv.spediteure.de ) that will help us better assess the situation.

In response to the Russian Federation’s decision to recognize the non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts of Ukraine as independent entities and the subsequent decision to deploy Russian troops to these areas, the EU has adopted a package of sanctions against Russia came into force with the announcement in the EU Official Journal L 42 I on February 23, 2022. The sanctions, which are in addition to the embargo imposed on Russia in 2014 , include the following measures:



  • Within the existing sanctions framework, the restrictive measures will be extended to all 351 members of the Russian State Duma who voted on February 15, 2022 in favor of the appeal to President Putin to recognize the independence of the self-proclaimed “Donetsk and Luhansk Republic”.
  • In addition, targeted restrictive measures will be imposed on an additional 27 high-profile individuals and organizations that have played a role in undermining or threatening Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. This includes decision makers such as members of the government who were involved in the illegal decisions; Banks and businessmen/oligarchs supporting or benefiting from financial or material Russian businesses in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions; senior military officers who played a role in the invasion and destabilization efforts; and individuals responsible for a disinformation war against Ukraine.
  • The restrictive measures include an asset freeze and a ban on providing funds to the listed individuals and entities. In addition, a travel ban applicable to the listed persons prevents them from entering or transiting through the territory of the EU.
  • There is a ban on imports of goods from the non-state areas of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts, restrictions on trade and investments related to certain sectors of the economy, a ban on the provision of tourism services and a ban on exports of certain goods and technologies.
  • A sectoral ban on financing the Russian Federation, its government and the Central Bank will be introduced. By restricting the ability of the Russian state and government to access EU capital, financial markets and services, the EU aims to limit the financing of escalating and aggressive political measures.