Truck crisis hits border again

Al Ghuwaifat:  A 15-kilometre queue of 5,000 trucks has built up on the Al Ghuwaifat border, with drivers saying slow customs clearance by Saudi authorities is recreating the misery of June when they were subjected to a fingerprinting exercise.

"It is reminiscent of the crisis in June when the queue of trucks stretched for several kilometres," said Ummer, an Indian truck driver who reached the border at 8pm on Sunday.

Trucks cross into Saudi Arabia carrying goods to be delivered to neighbouring countries. The queue now stretches about 15 kilometres. This means about 750 trucks are stranded on this road.

According to other truck drivers, there are about seven parking areas and a five-kilometre stretch of road between the UAE and Saudi checkpoints where at least 4,500 trucks could be parked. "More than 5,000 trucks are waiting to enter Saudi Arabia," one driver said.

The long wait

Ummer, who hauls cement to Qatar, said he joined the queue about 5 kilometres from the border point, but trucks are not moving at all. "More and more trucks keep joining the queue," he said.

Some drivers said the Saudi authorities go slow when they find smuggled goods. "Clearance has been slow during the past two weeks and it worsened on Sunday night," said Ashraf, a driver who joined the queue at 11pm on Friday. "We don't know the exact reason for the delay, but whenever they catch illegal goods, movement becomes slow," he said.

Ashraf, who is taking pulses to Qatar, said it has taken him two days to cross four parking areas, but he has to wait one more day to enter Al Bat'ha. "Earlier, the entire process used to take 24 to 36 hours," he said.

Ummer and the others are mentally preparing to wait at least three to four days. "Even if the Saudi authorities start clearing us quickly, it will take at least three to four days for the queue to clear," he said.

Price rise looms

The crisis will create a problem between exporters and transportation companies. There will be a price rise if this continues, said Abdul Rahim, Marketing Manager of Delmon General Land Transportation Company in Dubai, which transports fabricated steel used in the construction industry from the UAE to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait. He said freight charges will increase because the number of trips will reduce.

In June, fingerprinting of truck drivers caused the massive delays, but that is not the issue this time.

"Almost all drivers' fingerprints have been taken. Fingerprints are taken once in three months, when the transit visa is renewed. So there is not much rush at that counter," a driver said.

Neither UAE or Saudi officials could be reached for comment.

Abu Dhabi Police are making arrangements for truck drivers to park in designated areas instead of queuing on the road.