Beirut: Mounting geopolitical risks in global trade amid the US-Israel-Iran conflict and ongoing hostilities between Washington and Tehran have prompted Asia-Pacific countries to seek alternative logistics corridors, with Trkiye emerging as a preferred choice due to its efforts to diversify logistics modes over nearly two decades, a sector representative told Anadolu. Ergun Ariburnu, chair of Omsan Logistics, highlighted Trkiye's strategically important position in logistics and geopolitics, placing the country at the crossroads of the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Americas.

According to Anadolu Agency, Ariburnu emphasized that Trkiye is the most reliable country in the region due to its robust infrastructure, defense advancements, and armed forces, as trade seeks a safe haven first. He pointed out that logistics has evolved from the mere movement of goods to a level at which it affects economic independence. The most significant example of this shift was seen in the Strait of Hormuz, the impact of which had not been anticipated.

Ariburnu explained that if Trkiye seizes these opportunities, it could elevate its economy to a new level. He warned of the potential threats to other major trade routes such as the Suez or Panama canals, and noted that many countries are considering the consequences of potential closures. Ariburnu added that Asia-Pacific countries are seeking alternative routes and that Trkiye had already begun preparing for this shift as early as 2007 by diversifying logistics modes, including the Middle Corridor, the Zangezur Corridor, and the Hejaz Railway.

Trkiye has been making significant investments in railways as it advances toward becoming a logistics hub, with ships and cargo arriving at different destinations, while rail cargo is distributed across a wider geographical area, including Africa. Ariburnu highlighted investments in routes connecting Turkic states with the Caucasus, such as the Dortyol-Hassa railroad and highway tunnels, through which Chinese cargo can be transported to the Port of Iskenderun and then shipped via sea and rail connections as far as Africa.

Ariburnu noted that at least 90% of global trade is conducted via maritime routes and that the OYAK Logistics Group, the parent company of Omsan, has seen growth in ports and maritime routes, especially through the Tanger Med port. He described Tanger Med as one of the largest ports in the world, strategically located in the Mediterranean with Europe and Africa on either side. Omsan was the first logistics firm to establish a presence and open warehouses at the port, and it holds a clear lead in automotive logistics in Morocco and across Africa.

He emphasized that logistics is an integrated service and that it's possible to manage this business by investing solely in Trkiye, while their vision is to expand globally, with Morocco serving as a key African country for accessing the African market. Ariburnu stated that the logistics sector continues to grow, with projected trade volumes of more than $1 billion expected to double within the next decade.

Trkiye's human resources offer a far greater opportunity than those of neighboring regions such as Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, making the country even more attractive in the search for alternative logistics routes. However, Ariburnu acknowledged that every opportunity brings risks, including the failure to complete investments on time. He stressed the importance of taking a long-term view of logistics investments, as building a railroad or a port requires years and major investments, with returns sometimes realized by the next generation.

Ariburnu concluded by expressing confidence that stable governance and smart investments in the coming period will work in Trkiye's favor. He predicted that in 10 years, Trkiye will serve not only its region but also Europe, the Caucasus, the Turkic nations, and the Asia-Pacific through various transport modes.