Truck delays at the Bahraini-Saudi border are allegedly spilling over to Bahrain's main port.

Hundreds of trucks are reportedly queueing for up to eight days at the Khalifa Bin Salman Port, in Muharraq, as drivers await clearance to leave for Saudi Arabia, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The drivers allegedly have no access to basic amenities such as toilet facilities, while vehicle owners complain that perishable cargo could be ruined due to lengthy hold-ups, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) transportation committee head Abdulhakim Al Shammary told the GDN.

"Holding up hundreds of trucks for so many days at the port can harm the economies of both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia," he said.

He made the comment following a meeting with Customs and King Fahad Causeway officials, which focused on tackling delays on the bridge linking Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Businessmen want the number of checkpoints to be reduced to ease the flow of goods.

"We have called for an urgent meeting with the Bahrain and Saudi Customs authorities to discuss and find a practical solution and we are waiting for this important meeting," said Al Shammary.

Complaints about delays at the causeway have persisted since 2007.

Initially trucks travelling to Bahrain were affected by an increase in traffic, which was driven by a surge in demand for construction materials from Saudi Arabia.

However, at the beginning of 2008, Bahraini transport firms began complaining about trucks being held up on their way to Saudi Arabia.

Last Wednesday, the GDN reported that a new measure to ease truck congestion on the King Fahad Causeway was being introduced.

It involves loaded trucks leaving Khalifa Bin Salman Port and parking in Janabiya until they are granted access to Saudi Arabia through a new gate.

However, this is mainly designed to prevent traffic disruption on Janabiya Highway.

"We believe that is basically an operational issue and needs enhancement of co-ordination between the border authorities of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia," said Al Shammary.

"We need to work together to bring things back to normal soon, because the damage caused is huge and even many Saudi companies are being affected.

"As BCCI, all we can do is push the matter as a top priority and we are doing it in every possible meeting."

However, this is the first time complaints have been reported about delays facing trucks at Khalifa Bin Salman Port.

Drivers waiting at the port told the GDN the situation was not easy as they waited for permission to leave for the causeway.

"We urge the officials to consider us as human beings and address the situation that we don't have a toilet facility anywhere nearby," said a Pakistani driver, who asked to remain anonymous.

"We can wait for days and manage on limited food, but what will we do without a toilet?"

An Indian driver, also stuck at the port, said he was also waiting for permission to head to the causeway.

"We are here for almost a week at a stretch, sometimes more than that, and it is difficult when the weather is bad," he said.

"All we need is clearance from Customs so we can proceed to the causeway, but we end up waiting for days."

A Filipino driver, who also requested anonymity, said the remote location of the port meant it was not easy to find food or water.

He said drivers carried limited water, as well as groceries and a portable stove to cook their own food, but options were few once that ran out.

"This can't go on for long," he said. "Some nearby restaurants deliver food, but we cannot afford to spend like that.

"Our salaries are around BD120 ($316), which differs between companies, and mostly we are paid an allowance per trip - which is usually around BD20."

He added trucks containing perishable items had freezers inside, which meant the vehicle could not be left unattended.

"The trucks are huge and they take up almost half of these lanes when they are parked," he said.

"We have seen many accidents when cars try to drive past on the two-way road with difficulty.

"We wish there was a permanent solution to this."

Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society secretary general Faisal Fulad has added his voice to calls for action, saying the drivers' rights must be respected.

"Authorities must provide toilet facilities and food arrangements for these men," he said.

"What they are facing is a violation of their rights." - TradeArabia News Service