Logistics Turkey and China vow to increase trade via rail Middle Corridor By Pramod Kumar May 30, 2025, 2:08 PM Alamy via Reuters A freight train in rural Turkey. The Middle Corridor connecting with China is presently underused Turkey and China have agreed to increase cargo traffic on the Middle Corridor, a railway route connecting Beijing to Europe. Only 300 trains use the corridor per year, the Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency reported. The decision to increase the tariff follows a diplomatic-level meeting in Beijing this month between Turkish transport and logistics company Pasifik Eurasia and the state-backed China Railway. The Middle Corridor, known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route connects China to Europe through Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, the South Caucasus and Turkey. The route offers a faster alternative to maritime shipping, reducing transit time between China and Europe to two to three weeks. Turkey cruising towards growing tourist trade Trump’s China tariffs give relief to Saudi petrochems Turkey to guarantee loans to struggling manufacturers Pasifik Eurasia chairman Fatih Erdogan said the company had played a central role in reviving the line after it was opened in 2017, but it still remained underused. He said that progress stalled during the Covid-19 pandemic when talks on expanding usage were suspended and operations halted. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that medium and long-term infrastructure projects to enhance the Middle Corridor and Turkey’s route are still high on his government’s agenda. These include the Zengezur corridor from Azerbaijan to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the Development Road connecting Turkey and the GCC countries, and a proposed third bridge linking Turkey and Europe, the report said. Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. Why sign uP Exclusive weekly email from our editor-in-chief Personalised weekly emails for your preferred industry sectors Read and download our insight packed white papers Access to our mobile app Prioritised access to live events Register for free Already registered? Sign in I’ll register later Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. Why sign uP Exclusive weekly email from our editor-in-chief Personalised weekly emails for your preferred industry sectors Read and download our insight packed white papers Access to our mobile app Prioritised access to live events Register for free Already registered? Sign in I’ll register later
