The recent launch of two freight trains from China to Türkiye via the Middle Corridor marks a new milestone for the route and signals progress toward more regular and efficient China-Europe rail transport, according to Turkish officials and industry experts.
The Middle Corridor, officially known as the Trans-Caspian East-West Middle Corridor, passes through Kazakhstan, crosses the Caspian Sea, and continues via Azerbaijan and Georgia before reaching Europe through Türkiye.
This development was highlighted by the arrival of the first China-Europe Railway Express South Channel train at Istanbul’s Halkalı Station on July 21. Carrying telecommunications equipment, auto parts, and other goods, the train completed its journey in 22 days, having departed from Chongqing on June 29. The second train, which departed from Chengdu, is expected to arrive in Istanbul next week.
To ensure timely delivery, logistics partners in Türkiye and China optimized scheduling and enhanced coordination, making the trade link faster and more resilient.
On July 16, Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that following several trial runs, regular freight services from Chongqing and Chengdu to Istanbul have officially commenced. This marks a significant step in the operational expansion of the Middle Corridor.
“The trains covered around 3,500 kilometers in China before proceeding through Central Asia, crossing the Caspian Sea, and reaching Europe via Türkiye. Each train carries approximately 2,000 tonnes of cargo,” said Uraloğlu.
He stated that the services were launched under an agreement between Türkiye’s Pasifik Eurasia Logistics Group and China State Railway Group.
Türkiye aims to establish seamless logistics between China and Europe, targeting the operation of 1,000 freight trains annually and positioning itself as a key hub in the Eurasian supply chain.
“The Middle Corridor is no longer just a vision — it is gradually becoming a real and operational corridor,” said Fatih Erdoğan, CEO of Pasifik Eurasia. He noted that compared to traditional maritime routes, the Middle Corridor offers a shorter and more controllable alternative.
“These trains carry not only containers but also a shared vision, mutual trust, strategic cooperation, and a common future,” Erdoğan added.