Türkiye, EU highlight railway freight gains as intermodal project closes

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu joined EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos in Istanbul on Tuesday for the closing meeting of the Strengthening Intermodal Transport Services in the Turkish Railway Sector Project, marking the end of a joint initiative designed to boost freight capacity along the Middle Corridor.

Project closing ceremony

Speaking on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, Uraloglu thanked Kos for attending the ceremony and stated that the initiative had delivered concrete advances for Ankara's logistics sector. "With the U-IMT Project, we achieved significant gains that will make our railway freight transport more competitive, increase the capacity of the Middle Corridor, and advance our cooperation with the European Union in the field of connectivity," he said.

Intermodal transport goals

The project was co-financed by the European Union and Türkiye to improve intermodal freight services and support a transition toward safer, more environmentally balanced transport systems. It also aimed to prepare a strategic action plan, identify infrastructure priorities, and strengthen the institutional capacity of Turkish transport authorities, according to official statements.

Middle Corridor capacity

Uraloglu noted that Ankara would maintain its focus on connectivity projects that enhance logistics capacity along trade corridors extending from the Gulf region to Europe. The Middle Corridor — also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route — has gained strategic importance as an alternative link between Asia and Europe through the Caucasus and Central Asia.