New solution improves capacity and provides a reliable route from Turkey to Germany

MSC announced the launch of a new, direct rail service connecting Trieste, Italy and Ludwigshafen, Germany available from 10th September 2021, designed to improve rail capacity and reduce transit time between Turkey and Germany to an estimated 12 days, according to the company’s release.

MSC’s new multimodal solution offers an efficient route from the Turkish ports of Derince, Gemlik Istanbul, Izmir (Aliaga), Mersin, and Tekirdag to the Ludwigshafen industrial zone in Germany, via MSC’s Line D and Adriakia short-sea shipping services, enabling a fast and reliable alternative to road-only haulage.

“Space availability on existing rail services is limited compared to existing and potential volumes moving particularly from Turkey to Germany,” says Cem Kurtuldu, Business Development, and Project Specialist for MSC Turkey. “This service will improve reliability for our customers and, thanks to MSC’s intermodal investments within Germany, we can provide an expedited and secure door-to-door service between the two destinations.”

The service is designed to offer customers transporting auto parts, chemicals, textiles, packaging, food, pharmaceuticals, and many other commodities expedited transit times between Turkey and Germany. Ludwigshafen’s strategic position on the Rhine, with easy access to Frankfurt and Stuttgart and its importance as a center for commerce, make it an ideal location for both local goods distribution and access to the wider Northern European market. In addition, Trieste is an important Adriatic hub for both European and global trade, rendering the new rail link invaluable for the accelerated movement of goods to and from the continent.

Luca Russo, Trade Manager for the Adriatic Region for MSC added: “Ludwigshafen has always been a popular destination for cargo from Turkey, as it is such an important industrial hub. While this service was created to support this vital connection between Germany and Turkey, our multimodal options from Trieste will also enable us to serve a wide range of origins and destinations both in the Mediterranean and for our global trade routes.”

In addition, Trieste is an important Adriatic hub for both European and global trade, rendering the new rail link invaluable for the accelerated movement of goods to and from the continent.