The Austrian Rail Cargo Group (RCG) and Turkish Pasifik Eurasia have partnered up on the New Silk Road, establishing the Turkish Köseköy terminal nearby Istanbul as a new hub. Specifically, RCG will transport cargo between Europe and Köseköy. Pasifik Eurasia shuttles between the Turkish terminal and destinations like Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and China. 

Embracing Turkey’s role as a east-west transport bridge is the central objective of the two companies. The country’s positioning as a South-Eastern Mediterranean rail freight hub has been reported before; the latest development confirms its emerging dynamic.

Pasifik Eurasia is the official forwarder of the Turkish State Railways TCDD and the operator of the Köseköy terminal. It is also responsible for developing services from Turkey along the New Silk Road, like the dedicated freight trains towards China. Austria Rail Cargo Group (RCG) is the freight division of the Austrian ÖBB, also very active in Eurasian transport and steadily increasing its volumes. 2020 has been its most successful year so far. Additionally, it sees much potential in Turkey, recognising it as the “future market for Eurasian rail transport”.

Köseköy terminal becomes a key

RCG already connects to Turkey with ten roundtrips per week. Most of the trains reach the Halkali terminal in Istanbul with a connection extending from Budapest to Köseköy. From now on, with Pasifik Eurasia’s help, all trains will reach the Asian side of Turkey, where the Köseköy terminal is positioned. Consequently, Köseköy will become the main destination for RCG’s trains that use Turkey as the gateway to the New Silk Road.

The terminal primarily handles cargo from the automotive, steel and wood industries, which constitute Turkey’s export powerhouses. Understandably, it is a significant location for connections between Turkey and the rest of Asia and hence, a suitable hub for the partnering companies. Most of all, they want to optimise their supply chains and explore new opportunities by connecting their networks in Europe and Asia.

Also read:

• Hupac and Rail Cargo Group see Turkey as the future rail market
• ÖBB Rail Cargo Group doubled its New Silk Road volumes in 2020
• RCG links Brno to Budapest and further to Turkey