DHL Global Forwarding Launches Direct Rail Service to the Turkish Market

Since the onset of the global pandemic and the first days of its impact on the logistics sector, DHL Global Forwarding has made extensive efforts to provide solutions for customers' global capacity and equipment challenges. DHL Global Forwarding has not only provided charter flights, alternative routes, and dedicated LCL (Less than Container Load) capacity, but has also introduced a new direct rail service to the Turkish market. Operating between Xi'an/China and İzmit/Turkey, the direct block train offers a new solution for imports into Turkey. The fast transit time it provides makes this service a suitable option complementing existing air and sea freight services. The train, with capacity for 50 containers each carrying 21 tonnes of cargo, departed from Xi'an on 1 April and followed the Trans-Caucasus route covering Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Georgia before entering Turkey via Kars Canbaz Station. The train arrived at the İzmit Köseköy terminal on 30 April. Current capacity constraints and high freight rates in air and sea freight have increased demand for rail services. With the new direct train, DHL Global Forwarding offers a fast and effective solution for the Turkish market. China-Europe rail services began 10 years ago and have become a reliable and sustainable logistics solution for Chinese and European companies. DHL, one of the logistics firms that pioneered and first offered train services to its customers, now extends this experience to Turkey and neighbouring countries via the Trans-Caucasus route. Ingo Alexander Rahn, General Director of DHL Global Forwarding Turkey and Levant, commented on the matter: "Operating in a challenging environment requires flexibility and new solutions. With the new planned direct block train between China and Turkey, we are providing the Turkish market with a reliable transit time as well as guaranteed access to container equipment, along with a service that is cost and emission efficient."