Türkiye to continue enhancing transport network to achieve new trade records

By Ayse Bocuoglu Bodur

ANKARA (AA) — The Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Ministry plans to continue developing the nation’s transport network and achieve new records in trade, according to its 2026 program.

The ministry’s goal is to develop technologies in information and communications, improve service quality and expand universal and postal services to all segments of society and every part of the country.

The program plans to increase the number of settlements receiving mobile communications services from 3,691 to 3,905 this year, while the number of settlements benefiting from universal postal services is expected to rise to 37,826.

The program also calls for the domestic development of transportation, maritime and electronic communications technologies and their widespread use. The ministry will increase the number of research and development (R&D) projects supported in these fields to 60.

Efforts are underway to provide safe, comfortable and environmentally friendly railway services. The number of active level crossings will rise to 1,246, while the share of double-track railway lines in the total main line will increase to 19%, bringing the total length of railway lines to 14,437 kilometers (8,970.7 miles). Renovated railway lines are expected to reach 281 kilometers (174.6 miles).

The program estimates that the share of railway passenger transport will reach 5.93% of the total, while electrified railway lines will make up 55% of the network, and high-speed train lines will extend to 2,769 kilometers (1,720.5 miles).

The length of urban rail systems is aimed to reach 487.1 kilometers (302.6 miles), the number of urban rail system stations around 260, and the share of signaled railway lines 65% of the total, according to the program.

The Transport and Infrastructure Ministry will also continue efforts to upgrade the country’s maritime transport services by increasing the number of vehicles transported by Ro-Ro vessels to slightly above 5 million, the volume of transited cargo handled to 3 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEU), cargo handled in coastal shipping to 71.9 million tons, the number of cruise ships calling at ports to 1,500, and total container handling to 15.1 million TEU in 2026.

The amount of cargo handled at Turkish ports by Turkish-flagged vessels is expected to reach 101.9 million tons, while the Rize Iyidere logistics port is expected to be completed this year.

Meanwhile, the ministry aims to increase the vehicle inspection rate to 80.5%.

The program also emphasizes developing combined transport services in a sustainable and competitive environment. The number of ports connected to railway lines is expected to increase from 19 to 20, while the length of connection lines will reach 473.1 kilometers (293.9 miles), and the share of railways in total freight transport will total 4%.

The ministry will also focus on developing the country’s air transport infrastructure by increasing international cargo volume by 4.8%, total airport aircraft capacity by 1.3%, and the number of international destinations to 133.

*Writing by Emir Yildirim in Istanbul