Use of Ro-Ro in International Freight Transport Increased 47 Percent

The problems caused by the pandemic in international freight transportation have increased the combined freight transportation and Ro-Ro usage significantly. According to the Maritime Statistics of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Ro-Ro shipments increased by 47,3 percent in the first half of the year. Onur Talay, CEO of Sarp Intermodal, which carries out about 90 percent of its shipments with a Ro-Ro focus, stated that the share of intermodal transportation, which has increased in importance during the pandemic period, will increase even more thanks to Ro-Ro lines.

The logistics sector continues to ensure the smooth flow of international trade and supply chain with alternative routes during the pandemic period. In this process, the use of combined freight transportation (intermodal transportation) and Ro-Ro in international freight transportation came to the fore.

According to the Maritime Statistics of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (UAB), the number of trucks, truck tankers, trailers, tow trucks, freight wagons transported on regular Ro-Ro lines increased by 2021 percent in the January-June 47,3 period compared to the same period of the previous year and became 314 thousand 343.

Onur Talay, CEO of Sarp Intermodal, the first company established in Turkey to focus on intermodal transportation, stated that Ro-Ro and intermodal solutions will gain more importance in the international freight transportation of Turkey, which is surrounded by seas on three sides. Reminding that there are long queues from time to time at the customs gates of the highway opening to Europe, Talay emphasized that the delivery times have become competitive by land.

“We do 90 percent of our transports with a Ro-Ro focus”

Talay said, “Intermodal transportation and Ro-Ro transportation provide important advantages not only against the obstacles caused by the pandemic, but also against problems such as the 'transit pass document' in some countries. As Sarp Intermodal, we carry out approximately 90 percent of our total transportation focused on Ro-Ro transportation integrated with road and railway.” he said.

“Pandemic barriers were overcome with Ro-Ro”

Stating that logistics companies engaged in international transportation need Ro-Ro flights more than ever to overcome pandemic barriers, Talay said, “We, as Sarp Intermodal, have used Ro-Ro lines more in our transportations especially for European countries in line with the demands of our customers. Ro-Ro services provided great convenience to our importers and exporters on the lines where more than one border gate is crossed by land.” made its assessment.