Baku: Serious congestion in the movement of freight vehicles has been observed in recent days at the Red Bridge customs checkpoint on the Azerbaijan-Georgia border, APA's local bureau reports. Hundreds of trucks are reportedly waiting in line on the Georgian side in the direction of Marneuli.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the queue of trucks stretches for several kilometers. The Red Bridge customs checkpoint, located on Azerbaijan's border with Georgia, is one of the region's main freight routes, with hundreds of freight vehicles passing through it every day. Recently, however, congestion of trucks has been observed on the Georgian side of the checkpoint.

The situation at the border particularly affects the work of drivers engaged in international freight transportation. According to them, waiting at the border creates additional risks for the goods being transported and incurs extra costs for themselves. The queue formed on Georgian territory is also affecting the movement of freight vehicles on the Azerbaijani side of the border, leading drivers to endure long waiting periods to cross. The prolonged delay results in increased fuel consumption, limited rest opportunities for drivers, and extended delivery times for transported goods.

Driver Hasan Sarisoy noted that they waited for three days to enter the parking area in Georgia, followed by another four days in the queue at the parking area. He mentioned that drivers face challenging conditions on the roads: 'There are many problems entering Azerbaijan. When we ask the reason, they say that the Georgian side is not working.' Another driver, Ali Ayrica, shared that he spends most of his days on the road due to long queues.

Some drivers attribute the congestion to increased security measures amid the Russia-Ukraine war and the diversion of transport flows to the Georgian route. Veteran driver Huseyn Yanik, who has been traveling to and from Azerbaijan for 35 years, expressed that he has never encountered such difficulties before: 'I have been traveling to and from Azerbaijan for 35 years. There have never been such difficulties until now. The first reason is the war in Ukraine. Ships at sea are unable to transport trucks. That is why congestion has emerged on this side. When there is congestion, the need for states to take security measures comes to the agenda. If 100 vehicles were coming a year ago, now 500-1,000 vehicles are coming.'

Driver Mahammad Chayli also expressed dissatisfaction with the situation on Georgian territory: 'We have brought cargo here. We are suffering tremendously on the Georgian side. There are so many parking areas along the road, but there is a 20-kilometer traffic jam. If they cannot let us through, they should direct us to other border crossings.'

In response to an inquiry from APA-Economics regarding the issue, the State Customs Committee stated that discussions had been held between the leadership of the Azerbaijani and Georgian customs services concerning the congestion of freight vehicles at the Azerbaijan-Georgia state border. 'Relevant necessary measures are planned to be implemented to eliminate the congestion and further accelerate border-crossing processes,' it said.