Constanta formula for the TIR queue… Exporters plan to overcome the congestion at border gates by sea route

Salim UZUN

Created Date: January 09, 2025 04:00

Exporters who want to solve the TIR queue problem in Hamzabeyli and Kapıkule, Turkey’s export gates to Europe, started negotiations for the Black Sea route. Ümit Mirza Çavuşoğlu, President of the Western Mediterranean Exporters Association, announced that concrete and rapid steps were taken to send the trucks to be loaded from Sakarya Karasu Port to Constanta. The target is to pass 600 trucks across the sea per day.

The Turkish exporter, who experiences a tailspin almost every year due to the arbitrary practices of the Bulgarian government at Kapıkule, one of the largest border gates in the world, started a ‘sea route’ operation with the support of official institutions. Turkish exporters, who had previously chosen Greece and Italy as target countries but could not conclude the negotiations, concentrated on the Romanian Constanta Port. Speaking to Hürriyet, Western Mediterranean Exporters Association (BAİB) President Ümit Mirza Çavuşoğlu announced that concrete and rapid steps were taken to send the trucks to be loaded from Sakarya Karasu Port to Constanta.

THE DOOR IS INSUFFICIENT, THERE IS ENJOYMENT

Noting that Turkish exporters have been experiencing great difficulties in Kapıkule for the last 2-3 years, Çavuşoğlu said, “Almost half of our loaded trucks are kept waiting or turned away due to arbitrary practices. This is not a decision made only by Bulgaria. There is a veiled blockade of Europe. Of course, the door is also inadequate. We experience great difficulties, especially in periods when our exports accelerate. That’s why we’ve been searching for a new route for a long time. We put Greece and Italy on the agenda, but it didn’t happen. “Then we chose Romania as our target,” he said.

WE MEET WITH THE PORT OPERATOR

Explaining that a special delegation of exporters is focusing on Constanta Port in Romania, Çavuşoğlu continued as follows: “We are planning to land in Constanta with ships carrying TIRs. We made many findings regarding this study and took concrete steps. A meeting was also held with the port operator. They were very positive about our idea. Now we have made a plan and we are going to Romania soon. In fact, work has begun to establish a laboratory at the port for the detection of residues in fresh fruits and vegetables. This laboratory will also be accredited.

TARGET: 600 TRUCKS PER DAY

After these stages are passed, we plan to start with 300 trucks per day and double the number of trucks after a while. Of course, traffic in Kapıkule will continue. However, the channel here will give great relief to the exporters. Our relevant ministries also welcome the process and follow it closely. Although we are currently carrying out the process as the private sector, ministries will come into play in May and June. We attach great importance to this work and keep our relations warm. “The findings we will make in Romania will also give us new ideas about the route.”

THERE ARE 6 MAIN REASONS FOR LONG TAILS

1- Bulgaria Lesovo Border Gateis old and has low capacity.

2- The density in November-December due to increased shipments at the end of the year.

3- Strict controls due to illegal immigrants trying to cross the border.

4- Bulgaria’s Schengen AreaTightened controls due to its involvement in .

5- Putting the new transit information system NCTS-P5 into use.

6- Truck parking area problem, which was solved in Kapıkule but not in Hamzabeyli.

THE EFFECT OF THE WAR IS REDUCING

Noting that the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war on exporters have begun to decrease, Çavuşoğlu said, “There is a serious increase, especially in fruit and vegetable exports. If the war ends, it means a different year begins for us. We estimate that if the war ends, there will be a significant flow of money from Ukraine. Everyone is ready. Food, construction, agriculture… Türkiye will be ahead in every field. “There will be great advantages in Syria,” he said.

THEY CAN COMPLAIN TO THE EU

Stating that they will go to Romania in April to make observations in Constanta Port, BAİB President Çavuşoğlu said, “Our visit program has become clear. We can use this line not only from Sakarya but also from Zonguldak. Our only fear is that Bulgaria will go to the European Union and complain, “They bypassed us.” “We don’t know what will happen then, but we will continue to fight for the new route,” he said.

SUPPORT RECEIVED FROM SHIPPERS

International Transporters Association (UND) Chairman of the Board of Directors Şerafettin Aras said, “It is a correct perspective. The company had already stated that the number of Ro-Ro in Constanta could be doubled if there was demand. The important thing here is food control centers. For example, the analysis laboratory in Kapıkule is very inadequate and trucks carrying food have to wait for hours. As UND, we support such a step. If this is implemented, the speed of transporters will increase and costs will decrease. “At the same time, the traffic here will be relieved,” he said. Aras shared that approximately 1,350 export and 1,600 import trucks pass through Kapıkule daily, but he stated that this border gate is not sufficient for traffic.