Lithuanian transport companies are grappling with six-figure parking fees after trucks previously detained in Belarus began returning home this week, prompting calls for clarity over who should cover the losses.
The first vehicles held by authorities in Minsk crossed back into Lithuania on Tuesday, but industry representatives say the financial burden left behind is significant.
“I cannot say who should cover these costs for the hauliers, but they should be covered,” said Erlandas Mikėnas, president of the national road carriers’ association Linava. “I am receiving signals from government officials that it would be fair for the hauliers to be compensated.”
According to Mikėnas, some companies with multiple stranded trucks and semi-trailers have received parking bills reaching 100,000 euros.
Industry leaders say discussions on compensation have yet to yield concrete results. Povilas Drižas, head of the International Transport and Logistics Alliance, said the government has so far avoided committing to reimbursements.
“We heard from the transport minister that the government is not discussing compensation, but once we have the actual figures on how much money was lost during this period, we will raise these discussions,” Drižas said.
Mikėnas said legal action against Belarus remains a possibility, arguing that without a clear political directive prohibiting operations there, Lithuanian transport companies will continue to work routes to the east.
Transport Minister Juras Taminskas said Tuesday that it is too early to discuss compensation, citing uncertainty over how many vehicles were affected.
Meanwhile, Ignas Algirdas Dobrovolskas, an adviser to Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė, said authorities are still weighing who should compensate the hauliers and how.
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