Mr. Habip Şen, Board Member of the Logistics Service Providers Association (LojiDer), assessed the latest developments regarding the Zangezur Corridor. August 20, 2025
“Zengezur will strengthen the ‘Middle Corridor’ and make Turkey a key part of global supply chains.”
EXCLUSIVE NEWS - “With the opening of the corridor, Turkey will become a key part of global supply chains extending from China to Europe,” said LOJİDER Board Member Habip Şen. “By directly connecting Türkiye to the Central Asian Turkic Republics via Azerbaijan, it will strengthen the trade route known as the ‘Middle Corridor.’”
Habip Şen, Board Member of the Logistics Service Providers Association (LOJİDER), assessed the latest developments regarding the Zangezur Corridor specifically for Green Logisticians. He assessed the benefits of the Zangezur Corridor for Turkey and the advantages and risks of the corridor being under US control. Here are Habip Şen's statements regarding the Zangezur Corridor…
Benefits of the Zangezur Corridor for Turkey
Direct Connection to the Turkic World: The Zangezur Corridor will strengthen the trade route known as the "Middle Corridor" by directly connecting Türkiye to the Central Asian Turkic Republics via Azerbaijan. This will strengthen economic, commercial, and cultural ties within the Organization of Turkic States (TDT). Furthermore, the BTK (Baku, Tbilisi, Kars) route will address the load imbalance caused by Georgia diverting freight to China, Europe, and the Turkic Republics via the Black Sea, particularly to the ports of Poti and Batumi, rather than the BTK route. This will enable the reciprocal management of all freight volumes, and when the volumes from Turkey to Europe and Turkey to the Turkic Republics are included, trains operating at full capacity will be created.
Potential as a Logistics and Trade Hub: With the opening of the corridor, Turkey will become a key component of global supply chains extending from China to Europe. This new route will increase freight transport by offering a shorter and more cost-effective alternative to existing routes. The integration of the Kars-Iğdır-Nakhchivan railway line into this corridor will create new trade and development opportunities for the provinces in eastern Türkiye. The project aims to build the transfer terminal in Turkey. This will create new job opportunities, facilitate a faster border crossing, and facilitate economic development by locating the logistics center in Turkey. Furthermore, operationally important railcar changes and customs transit procedures will be completed more quickly.
Economic and Energy Independence: Trade will be strengthened by transporting the region's energy resources and solid and liquid raw materials produced from oil and natural gas to Europe via Turkey.
Benefits of US Control
- US-based global companies will be able to easily adapt their cargo volumes on the Asia-Turkey-Europe route to the Zangezur Corridor. This is important because it ensures cargo balance, allows for the transport of value-added cargo, and ensures that these cargoes can cover the resulting freight costs.

- It will ensure the security and stability of the corridor. By ensuring the safe and uninterrupted operation of the corridor, one of Türkiye's top priorities, it can contribute to establishing solid connections with the Turkic world.

- US undertaking the project could increase the confidence of international financial institutions (e.g., the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank) in the project and facilitate the attraction of investment. The corridor's construction and operation could be carried out using the most advanced technology and in accordance with international standards. This could increase the corridor's efficiency and competitiveness, strengthening Türkiye's position in global supply chains.

- The use of the corridor could normalize Turkey-Armenia relations and positively impact the development of bilateral trade.

Risks of US Control

- US control of the corridor could be perceived as a threat by other regional powers.

- Iran would suffer economic losses if it were to be disabled in this corridor. This could create difficulties for our road transport companies using the Iranian route for transit and lead to increased costs.

-China, the project owner of the Belt and Road Initiative, may hesitate to use the corridor for cargo destined for China due to the trade wars it has been experiencing with the US.

-In the event of future tensions between Turkey and the US, the corridor could pose a threat and negatively impact our trade with regional countries, as the US could take decisions that would prevent trade through it.