A compromise document connecting Türkiye and the Mediterranean with Northern Europe was signed in Istanbul recently. This document, a significant breakthrough for the Turkish market, establishes a connection between Türkiye and the international transport operators DFDS and VIIA, which operate in transportation and logistics in the Mediterranean and the French ports of Sète and Calais.

Seamless Transportation between Türkiye and Northern Europe

This agreement, signed by four partners, aims to increase the flow and reliability of trade with Türkiye, the European Union, and the United Kingdom. To this end, operational cooperation will be realized between DFDS, the world's leading maritime transportation and logistics company, VIIA, a rail transportation company, and the intermodal transportation ports of Sète and Calais, France's gateways to Europe and the UK.

Thanks to the cooperation under the agreement, Turkish companies and carriers exporting to European markets will be offered an efficient and fast logistics  solution in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. The voyages defined by the agreement include the transportation of goods to the port of Sète via DFDS's Yalova- Sète and Izmir- Sète voyages, from there to the port of Calais via the rail connection provided by VIIA and to the UK port of Tilbury by DFDS.

Improved Transportation Processes

Train services in France and RoRo services departing from the English Channel improve the performance of transportation activities from Türkiye to the UK. At the same time, early submission of customs declarations enables bright border crossing and smooth border crossing procedures. On the other hand, rail networks efficiently connect the north and south of Europe, contributing to reducing carbon emissions in transportation processes. Lars Hoffmann, Vice President of DFDS and Head of the DFDS Mediterranean Business Unit, one of the four companies involved, said: "We are constantly looking for ways to provide extra value to our customers and serve them faster and better. By offering direct, fast, and efficient access to Europe's leading ports of Calais and Sète, as well as low-carbon emission transportation services in cooperation with VIIA, one of Europe's leading rail operators, we make it easier for companies in Türkiye to do business with European countries. We continue to assist our customers with opportunities in the Northern European markets by utilizing our unique routes in the Mediterranean." He added.

Thanks to this signed document, Türkiye's lojistik network with Mediterranean countries and Northern Europe via the UK is expected to improve significantly.