The meeting organized by the International Transporters Association (UND), at which the transport statistics for 2025 were evaluated, was held with the participation of Trade Minister Ömer Bolat and Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Durmuş Ünüvar.
In his speech here, Minister Ömer Bolat said that the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Transport coordinate on transport issues and that UND is one of the key players in this area.
Stating that logistics is a vital sector, Bolat said: “We are all aware that due to the ongoing severe war conditions in the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the entrances and exits to the Gulf have become dangerous and have led to unusual price increases in this sector. We are trying to propose remedies and solutions to this.” he said.
Expressing a desire for the Gulf War to end as soon as possible, Bolat said: “The risk that rising energy and petrochemical product prices will have an inflationary impact on the economy and block foreign trade channels represents a worrying situation for the global and regional economy.” made the statement.
“Last year we had logistics exports worth 42 billion 400 million dollars”
Minister Ömer Bolat stated that the global logistics market will reach $11 trillion in 2025 and that the logistics sector accounts for about 10 to 11 percent of the global economy.
Pointing out that 120 million people are employed in this sector worldwide, Bolat said: “59 percent of global logistics activities consist of transportation services and 41 percent consist of activities such as warehousing, logistics management and warehouse movements. The transportation sector accounts for 17 percent of global service exports and 22 percent of imports.” gave his assessment.
Bolat was very pleased that the logistics sector in Turkey is developing rapidly and said: “The market size of the logistics sector in the Turkish economy is 100 billion dollars. Turkey is a major exporter in the global logistics sector. Last year we had logistics exports worth 42 billion 400 million dollars.” he said.
“The optimization of logistical processes is one of the strategic goals of our ministry”
Minister Ömer Bolat stated that they are trying to increase Türkiye's exports of goods and services and put the country in an even better position in the foreign trade balance, saying that Türkiye ranks 10th in the world with a share of 2.80 percent of logistics exports.
Noting that significant improvements have been achieved in areas such as customs processes, infrastructure quality, logistics expertise and rapid delivery, Bolat said: “Reducing transportation and transportation-related emissions, digitalization and optimization of logistics processes through modern customs applications are among the strategic goals of our ministry.” he said.
“We will open a new customs gate north of Kapıkule”
Bolat recalled that Türkiye joined the TIR system in 1996, which was established in 1959 under the auspices of the United Nations.
Stating that the Turkish logistics sector has made great progress in both bilateral transportation and international transit thanks to the TIR system, Bolat explained that 473,000 TIR carnets will be cleared at customs in 2024 and 438,000 TIR carnets in 2025.
Stating that warehouses are an important part of the infrastructure required for the smooth conduct of international trade, Bolat said: “We ensure the safe storage of goods with a total of 1,124 warehouses in our country, of which 747 are of type A and B and 377 are of type C and E.” he said.
Bolat said: “The creation of a new support program called Sustainability Project Support aims to ensure the sustainability of our companies in economic, environmental, social and governance dimensions.” he said.
Stating that the Bulgarian Parliament has submitted the draft contract to open a new customs gate between Turkey and Bulgaria, Bolat said: “We will open a new customs gate north of Kapıkule. This is very important for our transportation to Europe. It will also allow new commercial transportation. A new corridor and a new canal will be opened. Through this we will reduce the accumulation in Kapıkule, Hamzabeyli and İpsala.” he said.
“The logistics sector is a very important area for foreign and domestic trade”
Trade Minister Ömer Bolat, speaking at the Iftar program following the meeting, noted that the attacks in the Gulf had an impact on the logistics sector.
Bolat said that investments in railways, infrastructure and transport have made Türkiye more modern and comfortable than many developed countries in the world.
Stating that they have given Türkiye an excellent reputation in the world with its air, sea and highway connections, Minister Bolat said: “New crises and problems are emerging that are beyond our control. We are trying to address these problems together. We are trying to solve the problems you are facing locally.” he said.
“We have invested over $300 billion in transportation over the last 23 years.”
Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Durmuş Ünüvar said that they are working intensively with all stakeholders, especially the Ministry of Commerce, to further develop international road transportation, which is the lifeblood of trade, in line with Türkiye's foreign trade goals.
Stating that they resolutely defend the rights and interests of the sector on international platforms, Ünüvar said: “We continue to implement the necessary regulations so that our airlines can continue their activities more effectively and efficiently and achieve a stronger position in international competition.” he said.
Ünüvar recalled that as the Ministry of Transportation, they have made transportation investments worth over $300 billion in the last 23 years:
“These investments not only serve logistics within our country, but also regional and international logistics. With the electronic passport document developed under the leadership of our country, our transporters can conduct their business faster and more flexibly.
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