Over the past few years, global supply chain flows have faced ascending interruptions due to geopolitical conflicts and the effects of the pandemic. These challenges have highlighted the vulnerability of existing logistics routes and underlined the growing importance of improving reliable alternative corridors.
When discussing the corridors, it is important to maintain a holistic perspective. Rather than favoring one route over another, the corridor should be seen as a complementary option that can provide alternative pathways for the supply chain to operate efficiently. Its role is not to compete but to offer flexibility and resilience within global logistics networks.
The logistics sector covers a complex network of transportation, warehousing, inventory management, and information systems that work together to ensure products are delivered efficiently across global supply chains.
Building on this framework, a comparative assessment through the World Bank Logistics Performance Index (LPI) provides a valuable benchmark to better understand how different countries and corridors position themselves in terms of productivity, reliability, and overall logistics capability. Since its launch in 2007, a total of seven LPI reports have been published (2007, 2010, 2012,2014,2016, 2018 and 2023).
The LPI estimates countries across 6 main scopes such as customs performance, infrastructure quality, international shipments, logistics competence, tracking & tracing, and timeliness. These components collectively present a structured lens to assess not only national logistics ecosystems but also the corridors that rely on them.
It becomes evident that each route reflects the strengths and limitations of the countries it traverses. Following China (3.7), Türkiye leads the Middle Corridor with a score of 3.4 reflecting developing infrastructure, regional connectivity and logistics services to other regional economies.
Furthermore, according to the LPI 2023 scores, Türkiye, representing the final leg of the Middle Corridor, achieves a higher logistics performance score than Russia, which serves as the terminal country on the Northern Corridor. This difference is remarkable, highlighting that concluding segments of the two corridors exhibit contrasting levels of logistics efficiency. From the route perspective the Northern Corridor however, benefits from Russia`s geographic extent, existing rail networks and established Eurasian freight routes although there is still room for improvement in service quality. Nevertheless, the higher score of Türkiye underlines its relatively stronger infrastructure, customs efficiency, and overall logistics capabilities compared to Russia, suggesting that the Middle Corridor’s endpoint may offer a smoother and more reliable logistics environment for transcontinental shipments. Türkiye functions as both an end market and a transit hub for regional trade with its extensive network of seaports and rail ports.
Türkiye has strategically positioned itself as a major spot in Eurasian logistics by intensifying cooperation with China`s Belt and Road Initiative. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2015 to align Türkiye’s Central Corridor Initiative and the PRC’s (China) Belt and Road Initiative. A major turning point in regional connectivity over the past quarter century was the completion of Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway in 2017. More than just an infrastructure project, it marked the restoration of a long-interrupted rail link between Türkiye and Caucasus that had been broken due to Armenia–Azerbaijan disharmony in the early 1990`s. This BTK Railway together with Trans-Kazakhstan Railway in 2017 have played a crucial role in designing the operational viability of the Middle Corridor. From a corridor perspective, their combined design is particularly notable in scope of interconnecting segments of a wider transcontinental system.
From an infrastructure perspective, gaps in rail connectivity, port capacity, and intermodal integration still continue to influence the overall performance of the Middle Corridor. Furthermore, notable investments in infrastructure covering Marmaray, Istanbul Airport, Eurasia Tunnel and Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge including its railways area connect Asia and Europe. These developments show that the corridor is gradually enhancing its captivation, particularly in terms of flexibility and diversification of routes.
Consequently, Türkiye has been taking important steps in terms of revitalizing and advancing Middle Corridor through strategical initiatives. However, there is still room to be considered to reveal the corridor`s potential. It is essential to combine structural approaches with effective coordination among our regional partners. Such an approach will contribute diversified global trade networks besides strengthening corridors.
Having completed this article in the evening of Sunday 5th April, I would like to wish a Happy Lawyer´s Day to İDHD Boards of Lawyers and all lawyers.
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About | Logistics Performance Index (LPI)
52062-001: Supporting Logistics Sector Development | Asian Development Bank
