Türkiye now on radar for Chinese haulage firms with slashed journey times

For the first time, a TIR truck operated by a Chinese haulage company has reached Türkiye, slashing journey times and pioneering new opportunities for the industry.

A Chinese truck has transported a shipment under the TIR system from China to Türkiye for the first time, slashing journey times by up to one half compared to traditional maritime routes.

The truck, loaded with automobile parts, started the TIR operation from the Khorgos border crossing and arrived at the port of Kuryk in Kazakhstan.

There, in a special ceremony to mark the pioneering journey, the presidents of China and Kazakhstan gave the go ahead for the truck to board a ferry to cross the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan, before continuing by road to Istanbul, Türkiye, via Georgia.

The TIR truck travelled a total distance of 4,800km in 19 days. Traditional maritime routes between China and Türkiye take between 30 and 40 days depending on the specific departure and destination points.

The operation marked the first TIR transport between the two countries after the entry into force of the China-Türkiye International Road Transport Agreement, and the first ever door-to-door transport on this route conducted by a Chinese haulier under TIR.

A milestone for Chinese trucking companies looking to conduct global operations, it will help to further diversify China-Europe trade corridors and add more resilience into global supply chains across Eurasia.

Source: IRU