OMSAN Chairman Ergun Arıburnu stated that following the logistical disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, Asia-Pacific countries have begun seeking alternative trade routes for product shipments. Arıburnu stressed that projects like the Middle Corridor and Zangezur Corridor offered by Turkey have gained critical importance in this search.
Noting that tensions and wars in the Middle East and surrounding region are pushing trade toward a search for safe havens, Arıburnu said that thanks to its strong structure, breakthroughs in the defense industry, and the Turkish Armed Forces, Turkey is the most reliable country in the region.
Strait of Hormuz disruptions accelerate the search for alternatives
Pointing out that logistics is no longer just a movement of goods but a factor affecting countries' economic independence, Arıburnu said the most striking example of this was recently experienced in the Strait of Hormuz. He explained that Iran gained an advantageous position in the war by halting logistical activities at Hormuz.
"Today it's the Strait of Hormuz, perhaps tomorrow the Suez or Panama Canal. Countries are pondering what would happen if these, controlled by certain countries, were shut down. Especially Asia-Pacific nations have begun searching for alternative routes to ship their products to consumer countries," he said.
Middle Corridor and Zangezur Corridor come to the fore
Noting that Turkey has been preparing for this search since 2007, Arıburnu said logistics modes have been diversified. "The Middle Corridor, the Zangezur Corridor, and the Hejaz Railway, which has recently come back onto the agenda, are all alternative routes and modal shifts," he said.
Emphasizing that Turkey is no longer just a transit route, Arıburnu stated they are progressing toward becoming a logistics hub where trains and large ships arrive, cargoes are transferred to different points via feeder vessels, and loads arriving by rail are distributed to a wide geography, primarily Africa.
Saying that the Dörtyol-Hassa Railway and Highway Tunnels are the most concrete example of this transformation, Arıburnu noted that thanks to these tunnels, cargoes from China can be transported to the Port of Iskenderun and from there carried all the way to Africa via ship and rail connections.
OMSAN growing at Tanger Med in Morocco
Pointing out that at least 90 percent of world trade is conducted by sea, Arıburnu said that as OYAK Logistics Group they have continuously grown in ports and maritime routes. He emphasized that OMSAN was the first logistics company to establish itself and open a warehouse at the Tanger Med port in Morocco.
“When you go to Tanger Med, you see the OMSAN sign above those of the world's giants. Because the first company to recognize its importance and invest was OMSAN Logistics,” said Arıburnu, adding that they are by far the leader in automotive logistics in Morocco and Africa. He stated that with strengthening international cooperation, they have increased investments there and that their goal is to reach the African market.
10-year growth forecast for logistics sector
Stating that the logistics sector continues to grow, Arıburnu said they forecast that trade volumes exceeding $1 billion will comfortably double within the next 10 years. Touching on the opportunities and risks Turkey will face in the logistics sector, Arıburnu said that infrastructure investments are continuing seriously, that human resources are by far in a better position than in the surrounding region, and that the search for alternative logistics routes is bringing Turkey to the forefront.
Stressing that the biggest risk is that investments are not completed on time, Arıburnu said, “Logistics investments need to be viewed with a long-term perspective. Building a railway or a port is a task that takes years, requires major investment, and sometimes the return can be left to the next generation. Unfortunately, there are very few countries in our geography with human resources like ours, and I see the migration of our human resources to other countries as a risk.”
Arıburnu added that with stable governance and smart investments, in 10 years Turkey will not only be a transit route but a logistics hub serving Europe, the Caucasus, the Turkic Republics, Asia-Pacific, and Africa.
