The competition in intermodal services between Turkey and Europe will be harder in 2019.
A couple of years ago, when the biggest train operator on Turkey-Europe route, Metrans, stopped its service, the intermodal services via Trieste had almost won the war.
It didn’t.
Since then, Rail Cargo has almost doubled number of trains.
Turkrail, the first Turkish container operator had started service, with TCDD wagons for the first time.
Mars, one of the top companies using Trieste, started container trains departing from Turkey.
Omsan, long after Kosekoy-Köln swapbody train (know also as Ford train) had started Poland train together with Rail Cargo.
Why?
One of the main difference is the private train operators in Balkan region. Problems were far back, moving fast, on-time and safe.
Turkey is not same either. Simplified customs process speeded up the border crossing. TCDD Tasimacilik has also increased its service of quality.
But the biggest change in 2019 will be the opening of Marmaray. Ferry has not been attractive enough with high fares and irregular service. By the end of this year, Marmaray project will be commissioned. National network in European and Asian side will be connected. Any operator which is willing to proceed into Asian side, Izmit, further Anatolia will have fast, cheap and reliable solution.
2019 may be a year with more solutions, more services more operators and a sharp increase in Europe-Turkey traffic after long years of stillness.
Cover photo: Onur Uysal ©
Categories: Freight Terminals
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