Türkiye rail corridor links are becoming more prominent for Laude Smart Intermodal in rail freight between Europe, Ukraine and Central Asia.

Türkiye rail corridor gains ground in Eurasian freight
Photo: Laude Smart Intermodal

Türkiye rail corridor and the Middle Corridor

The shift in Eurasian cargo flows has drawn more attention to Türkiye’s role in rail logistics. Laude Smart Intermodal says the war in Ukraine has weakened the Northern Corridor through Russia and directed more interest toward alternative routes, including the Middle Corridor⁠ connected with China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Marcin Witczak, CEO of Laude Smart Intermodal, said the company already reaches Türkiye by using the Black Sea corridor.

“Our trains already reach Türkiye through the Black Sea corridor, and this route will steadily gain importance,”

Witczak also pointed to disruptions around the Suez Canal and the Persian Gulf as a sign that supply chains need greater stability. In this setting, Laude sees further potential in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, which can provide resources and products required by European markets.

Kazakhstan forms a key part of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor. The route currently has capacity of around 6 million tonnes per year, with plans to increase this to 10 million tonnes by 2030⁠.

Development Road and Black Sea links

Laude is also tracking the planned Development Road project. This rail and road route would run from Iraq’s Grand Faw Port through Türkiye⁠. It could initially handle 20–25 million tonnes of cargo per year and reduce reliance on maritime chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz.

Witczak said Laude is following the project because of its possible role in connecting Europe with the Middle East.

“We are also closely monitoring the recently announced plans for the so-called Development Road – a rail and road corridor that could play a crucial role in bringing Europe closer to the Middle East and reducing dependence on strategic chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz,”

Laude already operates container services through the Baltic Hub in Gdańsk, through Izmail to the Romanian port of Constanța, and across Black Sea links involving Odesa, Chornomorsk and Türkiye. The company is also developing connections from Duisburg to southern and central Poland, while further plans include an intermodal link between Warsaw, Silesia and northern Italy.