After the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following the US–Israel–Iran War and the limited use of the Suez Canal, global maritime transport has been significantly affected, bringing alternative logistics routes in world trade back into focus. This development once again demonstrated the importance of alternative transportation corridors in supply chains. In this process, the Middle Corridor, with Türkiye at its center, once again emerged as a strategic alternative in trade between Asia and Europe.
Arkas Logistics Group closely follows developments in global trade and has activated different transportation models and alternative routes for cargo departing from the Far East, especially from China and India. The company continues to operate its services on the Middle East and Far East routes through different logistics corridors for import and export cargo.
Road Transportation Service to the Middle East
Arkas Logistics Group has expanded its Middle East operations in line with developments in the region and has launched a road transportation service departing from Türkiye. Cargo collected from various provinces of Türkiye is transported to target markets in the Middle East in a secure and predictable manner through the company’s strong operational network and field organization. With this operation, Arkas Logistics aims to contribute to the uninterrupted continuation of trade flow between Türkiye and the Middle East while providing exporters with more flexible logistics options.
China–Türkiye–Europe through the Middle Corridor
One of the solutions implemented by Arkas Logistics is transportation based on the integration of rail, road, and sea transport through the Middle Corridor. In this model, cargo reaching the Port of Aktau in Kazakhstan from China by rail crosses the Caspian Sea with feeder vessels and arrives at the Port of Alat in Baku, Azerbaijan. From there, the cargo reaches Kars via Tbilisi, Georgia by rail and is transported within Türkiye by rail to Izmit. From Izmit, it is shipped to Europe by rail or road options. Through this route, transit time for rail transport from China to Europe averages 35–40 days.
Rail-Truck and Truck-Air Solutions
The Rail–Truck model is among the solutions provided by Arkas Logistics. In this model, cargo transported from China to Türkiye by rail is transferred to curtain-sided trucks in Izmit and delivered to final delivery points in Europe via road or Ro-Ro connections. Another solution developed for cargo with high time sensitivity is the Truck–Air model. In this model, transportation between China and Uzbekistan is carried out by road, and air transport is used from Uzbekistan to Türkiye. Thus, the transit time can be reduced to approximately 12 days.
Alternative Route between India and Azerbaijan
Arkas Logistics also carries out alternative operational plans for India–Azerbaijan cargo. After cargo arriving from India reaches Mersin via the Suez Canal, it can be forwarded to regional countries by road. As an alternative, solutions connected to Georgia’s Port of Poti through Istanbul are also offered.
Arkas Logistics Group stated that the recent developments once again demonstrated the importance of logistics routes that are secure and continuous in global trade and expressed that they will continue to provide uninterrupted service to their customers with operational models that adapt quickly to changing conditions. Arkas Logistics Group continues to develop alternative routes and operational models against risks that may arise in global supply chains with its strong international network and multimodal transportation solutions.