On 12 September, Poland closed the border with Belarus. Warsaw cited security risks resulting from the Russian-Belarusian military exercises as the underlying reason for the closure. The military exercises have concluded by now, but Poland is keeping the border closed.
The border closure, which will last “until further notice”, affect both road and rail crossings. A spokeswoman for the Ministry of the Interior has stated that Poland will restore traffic when the border is fully secure. She also acknowledged that the measure poses a challenge for freight carriers.
That is confirmed by Miłosz Witkowski, rail freight director at Polish Freight Company. “The closure has and will have very negative effects not only on all transshipment terminals in Małaszewicze, but also on many companies related to rail shipments from China to Europe and vice versa (railway operators, freight forwarders, carriers)”, he writes on LinkedIn.
Gateway into Europe
Witkowski expresses concern that China may look for other entryways into Europe, such as the Middle Corridor and maritime routes. That would undermine Poland’s position as the gateway into the continent for China-Europe traffic.
Moreover, the rail freight director warns that trains all along the China-Europe route will have to find places to park and await the reopening of the border. The closure will lead to guaranteed congestion at Brest and Małaszewicze, Witkowski says, and delays in delivery times.