P&O Maritime Logistics and DP World Yarimca will launch a new shipping line from Marmara, Turkey, to the Caspian Sea, in an attempt to tap into the growing regional market for containerised goods.
The Turkey – Caspian line will provide regular container-based shipping between these markets for the first time, the parties said in a statement.
The line’s launch follows a trial voyage at the end of April 2021. It will new connect Marmara to the Caspian Sea, via the Russian inland waterways, and Turkey to the strategically-important region of Central Asia.
The Turkey – Caspian line provides speed and cost advantages, while also reducing carbon emissions by 17% compared to road-based transportation.
The line will utilise P&O Maritime Logistics’ Multi Carrying Vessel (MCV), transporting containerised products such as industrial machines, construction materials, textiles, cosmetics, white goods, and marble.
The MCV-type vessels will be ideally suited to navigate Russian rivers.
It is expected that at least two more vessels will be outfitted and classed for container carriage for the new line’s launch in 2021.
Kris Adams, CEO of DP World Yarımca, said, “The new Turkey – Caspian line between Turkey and the Caspian Sea makes the movement of goods more streamlined and less costly.
“With trade booming between these regions, the opening of a new sea route will undoubtedly be a boon to firms operating in these markets.”
In 2020, approximately $31.2 billion in trade took place between Turkey, Russia and Central Asia.
The region accounts for 6% of Turkey’s exports and 9.6% of Turkey’s imports.
In the same year, $17.8 billion of imports and $4.5 billion of exports were made with Russia, one of Turkey’s largest trade partners.
DP World Yarimca is now one of the largest in the İzmit Gulf and Turkey, with a capacity of 1.3 million TEU.
Martin Helweg, CEO of P&O Maritime Logistics, said, “There is immense potential for increasing the efficiency of trade between Turkey, Russia and Central Asia.
“P&O Maritime Logistics were selected because of the ability to carry both breakbulk and container cargo, which fits with the type of goods that move on this route.
“With land transport making up 95% of total carbon emissions for the transport sector, this new river-sea based route is more cost effective and environmentally-friendly than cargo transport.”
