Turkey, while drawing attention with its strategic location on the Middle Corridor, is progressing towards becoming a regional leader in international logistics by ensuring the integration of the “intermodal transportation” system in freight transportation. Intermodal transportation is a system that reduces costs and speeds up processes by integrating different modes of transportation. Turkey’s current infrastructure investments and geographical advantages play a major role in realizing this potential. However, there are some critical steps that need to be taken to make this process more efficient.
What is Intermodal Transportation?
Intermodal transportation is a transportation model in which the load is transferred from one mode to another without being physically handled during transportation. In this system, the container or trailer is transferred to the railway or road after reaching the port by ship and transported to the final destination. Intermodal transportation increases the efficiency of logistics processes by integrating land, sea, air and rail, reducing costs by 25% and shortening transit times. In addition, this model allows the establishment of a sustainable logistics ecosystem by reducing the burden on the road.
Turkey's Geographical Advantage
Turkey has a significant advantage on this route, where approximately 30% of world trade passes, due to its location at the very center of the Middle Corridor trade route. The Middle Corridor, which is the shortest and fastest route from China to Europe, places Turkey at a critical point in terms of logistics. However, in order to make the most of this advantage, Turkey needs to invest more in intermodal transportation.
Turkey's Logistics Infrastructure Investments
In recent years, Turkey has increased its logistics power with large-scale infrastructure projects. Projects such as the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, Osmangazi Bridge, Northern Marmara Highway, Marmaray, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway and Istanbul Airport are important investments that strengthen Turkey's logistics network. These projects offer great opportunities to make Turkey's geographical advantage more efficient and to use the Middle Corridor more effectively.
However, to fully evaluate the potential of these projects, emphasis should be placed on intermodal transportation, which provides integration between rail, road, sea and air. Currently, intermodal transportation in Turkey lags behind the rates in Europe and has not yet reached the desired level in the logistics sector. While 30% of transportation in Europe is done by intermodal methods, this rate is below 10% in Turkey.
The Role of Rail Transport
Railway transport is one of the most important components of intermodal transport. The share of railway transport in the logistics sector in Turkey is currently around 4%, whereas in Europe this rate is around 18%. In recent years, Turkey has undertaken important projects that strengthen its railway infrastructure. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway and the Marmaray Tube Crossing stand out as projects that make Turkey’s railway transport between Asia and Europe uninterrupted. These projects, together with intermodal transport, make Turkey’s logistics sector more efficient and strengthen the country’s connections with Europe.
The Role of Freight Villages
One of the most important steps towards Turkey becoming a logistics center is to increase the number of logistics villages. Today, there are 13 logistics centers in Turkey and work is ongoing for 8 new centers. However, this number is not enough and more logistics villages need to be established. Logistics villages are important infrastructure elements that increase the efficiency of intermodal transportation, speed up transportation processes and reduce costs. In addition, integrating these centers with the railway will increase Turkey's competitiveness in the logistics sector.
Incentives in Intermodal Transportation in Turkey
In Europe, tax breaks and subsidies are provided to encourage intermodal transportation. It is stated that similar incentive mechanisms should be put into effect in Turkey for this model to become widespread. These incentives will enable the private sector to invest in intermodal transportation and contribute to the development of the system. In addition, the digitalization of customs processes, the expansion of e-logistics systems and the transition to smart logistics systems will make Turkey's logistics sector more efficient and increase its competitiveness.
Turkey's Export Competitiveness
Intermodal transportation can help Turkey save billions of dollars annually. These savings will increase Turkey's export competitiveness and support industrial production. In addition, the development of this system will contribute to Turkey's sustainable growth and enable it to become a regional leader in the logistics sector.
Future Investments
The main investments that need to be made for Turkey to become more powerful in intermodal transportation are the renewal of railway lines and the increase of integration with ports. In addition, the expansion of block train systems will make Turkey's logistics network more efficient. Turkey can become a regional logistics leader by using its existing logistics corridors effectively, especially with the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway, Marmaray and Istanbul Airport connections.
Turkey has great potential for regional logistics leadership with its geographical location on the Middle Corridor, strong infrastructure projects and increasing intermodal transportation investments. However, in order to make the most of this potential, more logistics villages should be established, railway transportation should be expanded and incentives should be increased. When these steps are taken, Turkey will have a strong position in intermodal transportation and will provide a competitive advantage in the logistics sector.
