Turkey Freight and Logistics - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

Developing infrastructure supported by new trade agreements is driving demand for freight services in Turkey

• DFDS, a Danish shipping and logistics company, finalized a deal worth USD 277 million to acquire Ekol Logistics' international transport network in Turkey in April 2024. This move underlines Turkey's rising significance as a European manufacturing hub, a trend driven by the nearshoring approach that brings supply chains closer to their target markets. By integrating road transport into its Mediterranean ferry network through this acquisition, DFDS strategically aligns with its goal of transporting goods via ferries, roads, and railways. This strategic decision is expected to bolster DFDS's sales growth in 2024.
• Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan are advancing a three-way agreement to accelerate freight rail traffic along the Middle Corridor trade route linking China and Europe via the Caspian Sea. In April 2024, Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan signed an MoU to streamline customs procedures along the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. The Middle Corridor, offering an alternative trade route that avoids Russia, is projected to witness a threefold increase in trade volume by 2030. Turkey aims to uphold its role as a hub for East-West trade and views the Middle Corridor as a significant opportunity.

Turkey Freight and Logistics Market Trends

Turkey's transportation sector seizes opportunities amidst the Red Sea crisis

• Turkey is becoming an attractive alternative for European production and trade routes to Asia due to the ongoing Red Sea crisis. In Q1 2024, Turkey announced its plans to construct a railway line connecting its borders with Iraq and Bulgaria, aligning with Iraq's ambitious Development Road project. This railway corridor will stretch 2,700 km from Al Faw port to the Bulgarian border via Turkey, providing a transportation route for goods to Europe through the Turkish port of Alexandretta or via rail and road through Bulgaria.
• Turkey is actively bolstering its logistical capabilities in response to the ongoing Red Sea crisis, which is disrupting the Asia-Europe supply chain. The country has charted out a series of infrastructure projects with a focus on optimizing rail freight transport. An endeavor is the planned development of a 262-km very high-speed rail line, slated to connect Sincan to Köseköy. Turkey aims to complete this ambitious project by 2029. In parallel, Turkey is also ramping up its road infrastructure. By September 2024, the completion of 180 km of ring roads is anticipated, followed by 396 km by 2029, 130 km by 2035, and the final 90 km by 2053. These initiatives underscore Turkey's steadfast commitment to fortifying its rail and road networks, with a vision set for 2053.

Turkey's rising fuel prices and strategic energy shifts

• In 2024, Turkey witnessed a 3.76% rise in petrol prices and a 2.69% increase in diesel prices. The government set the price at TRY 42.06 (USD 1.31) per liter for gasoline and TRY 41.86 for diesel. This price surge is due to the upward trend in Bent crude prices. In response, Turkey announced the "Turan project"to become the gas hub. Among the CIS nations, Turkmenistan boasts over 20 tn cu. Mt. of gas reserves, i.e., 10% of global reserves. In contrast, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan hold 2.8 tn, 2.7 tn, and 1.8 tn cu. Mt., respectively, collectively making up 14.4% of global gas reserves. This will reserve Turkey strategically as a potential gas hub.
• Turkey plans to increase natural gas production to 13 bn cu. Mt. by 2050 due to the expansion of the Sakarya field and South Akcakoca Sub Basin. Net natural gas imports will be 55 bcm by 2050. Turkiye is investing USD 8.7 billion. In addition, Turkey is investing in oil and gas exploration in the Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean and signed a cooperation agreement with Somalia in 2024 to be less dependent on imported fuels.

Turkey Freight and Logistics Industry Overview

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