Istanbul recently hosted the Türkiye–North Rhine-Westphalia Business Forum, designed to enhance trade and economic ties between Türkiye and North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), one of Germany’s premier economic regions. This significant gathering brought together key figures from both the public and private sectors of Türkiye and Germany. The event was supported by Railport, Türkiye’s inaugural intermodal terminal, which served as a focal point for discussions regarding the importance of intermodal connections and robust transport corridors in boosting trade and investment between the two regions.
Strengthening Economic Collaboration
This forum, organized in collaboration with the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEİK) and NRW.Global Business, aimed to fortify economic relationships and explore new opportunities for cooperation. Senior officials addressed the gathering including Alparslan Bayraktar, Türkiye’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Hendrik Wüst, Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia, and Serap Güler, Minister of State at the German Federal Foreign Office. They engaged in productive discussions regarding future economic relations, enhanced transport links, and mutual investments. An essential outcome of this forum was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to advance logistics collaboration between Türkiye and Germany. Özgür Kalelioğlu, President of Arkas Holding Port and Terminal Services Group, and Markus Bangen, CEO of duisport, played key roles in this signing.
Logistics as a Strategic Advantage
Özgür Kalelioğlu emphasized Türkiye’s aspirations to become a significant logistics hub bridging East and West. He remarked that North Rhine-Westphalia stands out as one of Europe’s most vital industrial and logistics centers, with Duisburg at its core, facilitating cargo movement across Europe through its robust rail connections. The partnership between Arkas Holding and duisport, as well as the investment in Railport, are pivotal strides towards strengthening this logistical connection. As demand for container transport is on the rise in Türkiye, the need for intermodal terminals, which can facilitate cargo movement to inland regions, is becoming increasingly critical.
Enhancing Intermodal Transport Solutions
Railport, developed in Kartepe, Kocaeli, serves as a vital strategic link connecting Türkiye’s manufacturing hubs with the broader European rail network. It integrates seamlessly with both European rail routes to the west and the Middle Corridor to the east. Railport is playing a transformative role, reinforcing Türkiye’s importance as a logistical bridge between Europe and Asia, extending its reach to the Caucasus and Central Asia. Covering an impressive area of 265,000 square meters, Railport boasts a substantial annual handling capacity, managing approximately 360,000 TEU of containers, 1.5 million tonnes of general cargo, and more.
A Weekly Rail Connection from Kartepe to Duisburg
North Rhine-Westphalia’s robust transport infrastructure, coupled with the strategic location of Duisburg, positions it as a key player in managing trade flows from Türkiye into Europe. The recently established rail connection from Kartepe to Duisburg significantly boosts intermodal transport opportunities between the two regions. Railport is crucial in achieving Türkiye’s objectives of evolving as a formidable logistics hub, enhancing cargo movement not only between Türkiye and Germany but also within the greater context of European and Asian markets. By developing advanced intermodal infrastructure, Türkiye is paving the way for improved trade relations that are vital in today’s global economy.