The National Union of Road Transporters of Romania (UNTRR) has released a study analysing the economic consequences of Romania’s non-adherence to the Schengen area, despite having met the technical conditions for entry since 2011.
The report, titled Road Transport Market 2018-2030, presents detailed statistics on traffic at Romania’s border points and outlines the substantial financial losses caused by delays at the borders with Hungary and Bulgaria.
According to the study, 6.84 million goods transport vehicles crossed Romania’s borders in 2022, with a nearly equal split between those entering and exiting the country. Of these, 38%, or 2.58 million vehicles, were registered in Romania. A large portion of the traffic, 74%, was direct, involving vehicles either originating from or destined for Romania. Transit traffic, vehicles passing through the country without loading or unloading, accounted for 26%.
The majority of the traffic, 86%, occurred at Romania’s borders with Hungary and Bulgaria, while the remainder involved crossing points with Moldova, Ukraine, and Serbia.
Economic losses due to border delays
The UNTRR study highlights that from 2012 to 2023, Romanian road hauliers suffered losses of approximately €19.1 billion due to prolonged waiting times at these borders. In 2022 alone, losses amounted to €2.41 billion.
HGVs face significant delays at the Hungarian and Bulgarian borders, with waiting times ranging from 30 minutes to 72 hours, and an average of six hours per crossing. Romanian hauliers at the Bulgarian border frequently encounter delays of 20-30 hours, with waiting times sometimes extending to three days.
UNTRR estimates that these delays result in lorries parking for a total of 23.5 million hours per year, with substantial economic repercussions. The report notes that in 2022, this downtime led to approximately €2.55 billion in losses.
Environmental and social impacts at odds with EU principles
The environmental impact of these delays is considerable, with key border points such as Nădlac, Borș, Giurgiu, and Calafat seeing up to 1,000 trucks pass in each direction daily. The resulting emissions from vehicles idling in queues contradict the European Union’s decarbonisation goals.
UNTRR also draws attention to the social impact on drivers, who frequently endure long waits without access to essential amenities like food and water. Romanian drivers often spend hours or even days in these conditions before crossing the border.
Romanian lorries can cover 18% fewer kilometres due to border delays
The report further outlines how Romania’s exclusion from the Schengen area is deterring foreign investment. High logistics costs and delays in the flow of goods discourage investors and reduce the competitiveness of Romanian transporters. Compared to their counterparts in Hungary and Poland, Romanian trucks cover 18% fewer kilometres per month, leading to a significant drop in productivity.
UNTRR concludes that Romania’s continued non-adherence to the Schengen area is a major barrier to economic development, affecting the transport industry, foreign investment, and environmental goals.