Trucks bypass Syria on ships to Egypt

ANKARA – Hürriyet Daily News

Çağlayan says Turkey and Egypt has shaken hands on sending Turkish trucks to the Gulf countries via RoRo ships to Egypt’s Alexandria port, bypassing Syria. DHA photo

Çağlayan says Turkey and Egypt has shaken hands on sending Turkish trucks to the Gulf countries via RoRo ships to Egypt’s Alexandria port, bypassing Syria.

Talks on roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) services for Turkish trucks to access Gulf countries via Egypt, bypassing Syria, are complete, according to an official statement. 

Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan said on Dec. 16 that Turkish trucks would immediately start transporting to Gulf countries via Egypt and that the city of Alexandria was prepared for Turkish RoRo ships.
“Turkish trucks arriving at the Alexandria port can finish with restrictions and exit the port in six hours,” he said in a press release.

Transporters are facing difficulties in reaching Gulf countries as Turkey is having border disputes with Syria over which route is most feasible, due to political tensions. The Syrian economy would be affected negatively with the commencement of RoRo services between the Mediterranean Turkish port of Mersin and Alexandria RoRo, Çağlayan said. 

“Syria generates large revenues from transit fees and fuel,” the minister said, estimating the annual loss of the neighboring country at $100 million. Trucks departing from the port will reach Jordan via Nuwebia port before using another RoRo to Akabe port. 

RoRo ships are vessels designed to carry wheeled cargo like cars, trucks, trailers and railroad cars that are driven on and off the ship on their own wheels.

The route of loads to remaining Gulf countries passes through the Safaga route by the Red Sea and Duba port.