By: Turkey today

Türkiye has solidified its position as a key logistics bridge between Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East, with Turkish road transport companies completing around 1.97 million export trips in the first 11 months of 2025. According to data from the International Transporters Association, Turkish-registered vehicles accounted for approximately 1.4 million of these shipments—roughly 72% of the total—while foreign trucks handled the remaining 550,000 trips.

Alper Ozel, Chairman of the Association's Executive Board, emphasized that Türkiye’s geographic location makes it a natural nexus for global trade corridors. The country serves as a crucial link between markets in Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

Despite this strategic advantage, the sector continues to face significant friction, particularly regarding European Union visa policies. Ozel described the EU’s approach as discriminatory toward Turkish professional drivers, who often receive short-term or denied Schengen visas despite years of documented travel. Nevertheless, shipments to Europe rose by 4% year-over-year to 875,000 trips, with Turkish trucks accounting for 560,000 of these.

Turkish carriers demonstrated especially strong presence in the Middle East, conducting about 710,000 trips to the region, including Syria and Iraq. Recent developments, such as the opening of transit passages through Iraq and ongoing negotiations with Syria, signal opportunities for expanded operations. Ozel noted that as Syria increasingly sources supplies via Türkiye, transit volumes are expected to grow significantly.

Looking ahead, the association anticipates increased shipments not only for bilateral trade but also for transporting European cargo to Iraq, Syria, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. Ozel stressed that European strategies for engaging Central Asia will likely depend heavily on Turkish logistics networks, given Türkiye’s irreplaceable role as a regional transit hub.