Türkiye poised to become key transatlantic trade hub amid global disruptions, says logistics chief

2026-02-24 - 12:52

Türkiye stands ready to transform itself into a critical complementary logistics hub for transatlantic trade as global supply chains face unprecedented disruption, according to Bilgehan Engin, head of the Turkish Forwarding and Logistics Association. Speaking to Anadolu, Engin emphasized that recent geopolitical developments, including security risks in the Red Sea and Suez Canal, have fundamentally altered traditional maritime logistics flows, replacing cost-optimization models with more fragile but complex systems. Strategic Assets and Trade Volume Engin highlighted Türkiye's robust and modern port infrastructure, which handles approximately 15 million 20-foot equivalent units of container traffic and 550 million tons of maritime cargo annually. "Türkiye is a strategically located country, connecting Europe, its southern and eastern peripheries, the Middle East, and the Black Sea basins," he stated, noting that the EU-US trade route alone boasts a volume of around $10 trillion while serving as a key energy corridor. The country's free trade agreement with the UK—a crucial NATO and transatlantic commerce player—could prove instrumental in this strategy. Policy Recommendations and Friend-Shoring Engin urged authorities to accelerate efforts to update the EU Customs Union and implement visa-free travel for Turkish businesspeople and truck drivers, essential steps for seamless integration into transatlantic supply chains. He advocated for "friend-shoring" in Türkiye's future trade policy to build resilient supply chains with allied countries, noting Washington's "stronger reflexes" during President Donald Trump's second term regarding security and undocumented migrant traffic. Türkiye aims to become an integrated partner aligned with its 2026 and 2030 economic visions, ensuring production continuity and trade flow sustainability despite geopolitical fluctuations.