By: IRU

The first commercial shipments under the TIR (Transports Internationaux Routiers) system have successfully transited Syria, formally confirming the resumption of operations along this strategic corridor. The initial movements demonstrate that the TIR system can now be used for secure and efficient cross-border transit through the country.

Logistics company owners involved in the shipments highlighted the significance of reopening this route. Ahmet Sarı of Sarıtaş Lojistik described it as a "major step for regional road transport" following the earlier reopening of the Iraq corridor. Mehmet Ramiz Kılınç of Seytaş stated that it restores a vital land link between Türkiye and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, ensuring secure cargo movements and smoother border procedures.

Erman Ereke, IRU's General Delegate in Istanbul, noted that these first movements demonstrate that the TIR system provides a secure, predictable, and internationally trusted framework for transit, even on complex corridors. The resumption is considered critical for establishing uninterrupted land connectivity between Türkiye and the wider Middle East.

Managed by the International Road Transport Union (IRU) under a UN mandate, the TIR system uses a single customs document and physical security seals on cargo, allowing goods to be shipped across multiple international borders without intermediate inspections. It has been shown to significantly reduce border transit times and transport costs.