Fuel tanker operators threaten protests over new adr compliance deadline

The Association of Petrol Station Owners in Cyprus is threatening protest actions due to a strict enforcement deadline for European ADR safety standards for fuel tankers. The Department of Road Transport has mandated that all vehicles must comply with ADR requirements by June 20, 2025, or face the revocation of their operating licenses. According to Association President Savvas Prokopiou, approximately 288 out of 300 existing tankers currently fail to meet these standards. Owners claim that full compliance is practically impossible in the short term, noting that delivery times for new compliant tankers range from 14 to 16 months, with costs reaching 140,000 euros per unit. Representatives state that during a meeting on September 29, 2024, the Department of Road Transport assured them that a request for a five-year extension would be submitted to the European Union. However, the Association reports that six months have passed without progress or further communication. Consequently, the industry is warning of potential disruptions if a resolution is not reached.