Turkey to transport goods to Europe by block trains

Searching for ways to improve competitiveness of Anatolian goods in the European market, which has remained low due to the high transportation costs, Turkey initiated a combined railway project to transport goods from Anatolia to Europe on September 8. Named as the Great Anatolian Logistics Organization (BALO) project, it aims to facilitate trade to and from Europe as well as to reduce freight transportation costs. According to the scheme, the container freights of Anatolian exporters will be brought to Bandirma port by block trains, from where they will travel to Tekirdag by container ships. They will then depart from Tekirdag for European harbors. The first container train of the BALO project hit the tracks by a ceremony in the Manisa city on Sept. 8, attended by Transport Minister Binali Yıldırım, Chairman of Union of Chambers and Stock Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) Rifat Hisarciklioglu and Turkish State Railways (TCDD) General Director Suleyman Karaman.