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UncategorizedJanuary 18, 20260 comments

Spain-France Border Open for Trucks: Biriatou Reopened, Carrier Losses Increasing

After several days of extraordinary restrictions, the authorities of the Basque Country have lifted the transit ban for trucks over 7.5 tons heading towards France. This decision is a direct consequence of information received this morning from the French side, confirming the reopening of the A63 motorway in the Bayonne area in both directions.

As a result, passage through the Biriatou toll station has been restored for all vehicle types. However, road authorities report that heavy traffic of trucks remains very high at the border, due to the accumulation of transport over the past few days.

To recap: on January 9, the Traffic Directorate of the Basque Country implemented a ban on vehicles over 7.5 tons traveling towards France. The restriction applied to all public roads within the autonomous community and was a reaction to farmers’ protests in France, which led, among other consequences, to a complete closure of the A63 near Bayonne and blockades at the Somport pass. The ban was temporary and was to be lifted following official confirmation of the restoration of normal traffic on the French side. This information was received by the Basque government this morning, allowing the immediate withdrawal of the restrictions.

The reopening of the A63 and the Biriatou crossing marks the resumption of a key transport corridor between Spain and France, through which over 20,000 trucks pass daily in both directions. These trucks carry food, raw materials, and goods essential for industry, trade, and population supply. However, several days of blockades have caused a significant accumulation of vehicles on both the Spanish and French sides. Many trucks remained immobilized without any realistic possibility to reroute or reorganize deliveries, resulting today in increased congestion at the border.

The Spanish Confederation of Freight Transport (CETM) emphasizes that the consequences of the blockades extend far beyond mere traffic disruptions. According to the organization’s estimates:
– each truck halted by a blockade generates an average cost of approximately €600 per day,
– with tens of thousands of vehicles immobilized simultaneously, losses reach millions of euros daily,
– transport companies bear these costs without any compensation mechanism.

CETM highlights that the effects are immediate and cascading: undelivered goods, slowing or halting of production, supply issues in trade, and failure to meet contractual obligations. Additionally, blockades seriously complicate driver returns, affecting rest planning and work organization. The Confederation stresses that while the right to protest is legal, it cannot lead to the paralysis of a strategic sector of the economy, such as freight transport. Each additional day without administrative intervention, CETM argues, constitutes a conscious acceptance of economic losses affecting not only transport companies but also employees, consumers, and the entire supply chain.