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Jun 09 2023

IRU brings digital solutions to congested Georgia-Türkiye border

The Secretary General of IRU visited the increasingly congested Sarp-Sarpi border between Georgia and Türkiye ahead of his opening remarks at the BSEC-URTA General Assembly today.

The Sarp-Sarpi border between Georgia and Türkiye, one of the three Turkish border crossings into Georgia, has recently been modernised. Its narrow customs area is limiting its daily capacity, but inefficient procedures and a lack of digitalisation are further slowing down border crossings.

 

During his visit to the Sarp-Sarpi border, IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto outlined several tried-and-tested solutions that can drastically improve the flow of goods.

 

“TIR Green Lanes, express lanes at border crossings, should be introduced at the Sarp-Sarpi between Türkiye and Georgia until eTIR, including eTIR express lanes, are implemented,” highlighted Umberto de Pretto.

 

“The use of TIR can significantly accelerate border crossings, reduce congestion and increase security,” he added.

 

Local customs authorities welcomed the idea of introducing TIR Green Lanes to accelerate border crossings.

 

Umberto de Pretto also pointed out how long waiting times negatively impact driver shortages, stressing that truck driver shortages will not be solved without accelerating border crossings and improving working conditions. He also underlined that border authorities should focus on how long it takes drivers to cross borders, rather than the duration of the customs procedures.

 

Other solutions include using the nearby Hopa customs office to decrease congestion at Sarp, as well as joint customs control practices at the Sarp-Sarpi border.

 

IRU visit to the Sarp-Sarpi border between Georgia and TürkiyeDuring the field visit with the customs authorities and a Black Sea Economic Cooperation-Union of Road Transport Associations (BSEC-URTA) delegation, Umberto de Pretto also honoured a driver by putting an IRU Grand Prix d’Honneur award sticker on his truck.

 

This year’s IRU Grand Prix d’Honneur was awarded to all professional bus, coach, taxi and truck drivers in the world for their bravery, courage and dedication in serving through the pandemic, conflicts and natural disasters, despite risks to their own lives. Read more

 

Source: IRU