OMSAN Chairman Ergun Arıburnu said that wars and tensions in the Middle East have pushed global trade toward a search for safe harbors. Arıburnu explained that in this context, logistics disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have led Asia-Pacific countries to consider new routes for product shipments.
Arıburnu said, "Today it is Hormuz, maybe tomorrow the Suez or Panama Canal. Countries are thinking about what will happen when these, which are under the control of certain countries, are closed. Especially countries in the Asia-Pacific have begun seeking alternative routes to send their produced goods to consumer nations."
Turkey's logistics corridors stand out
Arıburnu noted that Turkey has been preparing for this search since 2007, with logistics modes being diversified. Arıburnu said, "The Middle Corridor, Zangezur Corridor, and the Hejaz Railway which has recently come back on the agenda – all of these are alternative routes and mode shifts."
Arıburnu emphasized that Turkey is no longer just a transit route but is on its way to becoming a logistics hub. Arıburnu stated that the Dörtyol-Hassa Railway and Highway Tunnels are a concrete example of this transformation, noting that cargo from China can be transported to İskenderun Port and carried as far as Africa.
The most reliable country in the region: Turkey
Pointing to the instability in the Middle East and nearby geography, Arıburnu said that thanks to Turkey's strong structure, breakthroughs in defense industry, and the Turkish Armed Forces, it is the most reliable country in the region.
Noting that at least 90 percent of world trade is conducted by sea, Arıburnu said that as the OYAK Logistics Group, they have achieved continuous growth in ports. Arıburnu highlighted that OMSAN was the first logistics company to position itself and open a warehouse at the Tanger Med port in Morocco, and that they are the clear leader in automobile logistics in Morocco and Africa.
Twofold growth forecast in 10 years
Arıburnu stated that the logistics sector continues to grow, and they forecast that trade volumes exceeding $1 billion will comfortably double within the next 10 years.
Arıburnu said that the greatest risk is the failure to complete investments on time and the outflow of qualified human resources to other countries. He added that with stable governance and smart investments, in 10 years Turkey will not be just a transit route but a logistics hub serving Europe, the Caucasus, Turkic Republics, Asia-Pacific, and Africa.
