Tanker truck owners are staging vigorous protests against the Ministry of Transportation’s decision to take their vehicles out of service. The protest march, featuring at least 280 tanker trucks, will take place next Tuesday, in response to the issue that has arisen regarding operating permits and the requirements for tanker trucks to comply with the prescribed procedures and inspections. The tanker trucks will initially gather in the GSP area and then proceed toward the Presidential Palace.

The root of the problem lies in a 2008 European regulation aimed at bringing tanker trucks into compliance with ADR safety standards (transportation of dangerous goods). Industry professionals claim that the Cypriot government at the time did not request exemptions, as other countries did, but instead reassured the industry.

READ ALSO: Tanker truck drivers are taking to the streets in protest; when will they gather outside the Presidential Palace?

When asked to comment on the Alpha News program, Transportation Minister Alexis Vafeadis stated, among other things:

“I think we should put this in the proper context. These regulations were introduced in 2008. There was a reasonable four-year transition period that gave them time to either replace their vehicles or modify them to be certified as ADR vehicles. Essentially, this is a safety measure. It protects citizens, it protects drivers, and it protects society as a whole. You’ll understand that from 2008 until August 2025, no administrative action was taken to enforce this law. The importation of these vehicles was not prohibited. They were not prohibited, so they were registered. What the industry itself—which manages these matters—should have done, however, was to bring their vehicles into compliance within a certain number of years.”

The Minister of Transportation emphasizes that measures should have already been taken, given that so many years have passed.

“In fact, 17 years ago, they should have taken measures so that the vehicles on the road today would protect both citizens and the drivers themselves. Consequently, in August 2025, this decree was issued. To date, they have done almost nothing. They are asking for a transition period. They still had ten months to take action. They claim they were promised they could request an extension, but that’s not possible. The law does not allow it. It does not permit another extension. There are solutions; first and foremost, the industry itself must take responsibility. They need to find ways to work together. They need to modify their vehicles so they can be certified for ADR. They need to be safe for the public. And this isn’t a matter of fear of liability. It’s a matter of finally taking steps to ensure road safety. We haven’t seen any efforts yet. We haven’t seen any initiative on their part saying, “We will take these measures.” We’re not talking about a protest-style initiative. We’re talking about positive actions on the part of this industry—to actually adapt their vehicles and have them certified.”

SEE ALSO: Less than a month until mandatory ADR compliance for fuel tankers; lawmakers seek an extension

At present, the operation of these fuel tankers is considered illegal, a situation that threatens to paralyze the market, according to industry professionals.