Cargo transport difficulties, delays in goods flow reported as trucks heading to Myawady must carry cargo

Border traders and business operators have reported that the flow of goods through the Myawady border trade route is facing difficulties and delays due to a shortage of cargo trucks for transportation, although import licences have already been granted.

The difficulties are reportedly arising because trailer trucks transporting goods from the Myawady border to the domestic market are not allowed to return to Myawady without cargo.

Some cargo trucks reportedly have to carry bags of sand and stone on their vehicles in order to pass through checkpoints when returning to the Myawady border to transport legally traded goods, resulting in significant additional expenses.

“The local staff reported to the higher authorities that some trucks were coming up empty, loading illegal goods and then returning to the domestic side. An order was reportedly issued requiring trucks to carry cargo before travelling to Myawady. Since empty trucks are no longer being allowed to travel up, we are facing difficulties,” a border trader said.

Similarly, a Myawady border trader said, “In reality, even if trailer trucks load illegal goods, they cannot return via forest roads. Cargo trailers only travel along the new Asian Highway.”

It is also reported that cargo trailers are not permitted to use the Kyat-U Taung, Thoekawkoe and 1018 roads over the Dawna mountain range near Myawady because these routes have steep sections and numerous sharp bends.

Although import licences have now been granted for border-trade goods, traders and business operators said that empty cargo trailers currently in the domestic area have to transport bags of stone and sand when travelling to Myawady due to the shortage of vehicles available to carry goods. As a result, they incur additional labour costs for loading and unloading, while more than K1 million in checkpoint fees is reportedly spent along the route, with the trucks having to pass through the checkpoints with the assistance of agents.