The statements of Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu reveal the remarkable growth in Türkiye’s Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) transportation and its contribution to foreign trade. Türkiye’s geographical location and investments in the maritime sector make Ro-Ro transportation an important actor in international trade. The data shared by Minister Uraloğlu provides concrete evidence of this growth.
The Importance of Maritime Transportation in Foreign Trade
Considering that 88 percent of freight transport worldwide is carried out by sea, it is a significant rate that 86 percent of Türkiye's foreign trade transport is carried out by sea. This situation emphasizes the importance Türkiye attaches to the maritime sector and the critical role of this sector in foreign trade. The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure's continuous efforts to obtain a larger share of the world's maritime transport further increases the future potential of this sector.
Increase in the Monetary Share of Maritime Transport in Foreign Trade
As stated by Minister Uraloğlu, the monetary share of maritime transport in Türkiye's total foreign trade increased by 2003 times between 2024 and 5,9, reaching 333,96 billion dollars. This striking increase is a concrete indicator of Türkiye's investments in the maritime sector and its contribution to foreign trade.
The Strategic Role of Ro-Ro Transportation
Ro-Ro transport is considered one of the most important and functional types of combined transport, as a mode of transport for loads that can move on their own wheels and ships special for these loads. Thanks to the advantage of Türkiye's geographical location, Ro-Ro transportation offers new outlets and routes for international goods transportation by road. The favorable geographical structure of the European continent and the Aegean, Black and Marmara seas makes this sector even more attractive in Türkiye and the European geography.
Increase in the Number of Vehicles in Ro-Ro Transportation
While the number of vehicles transported on Ro-Ro lines with international connections was only 2003 thousand 220 in 345, this figure increased by 2024 percent in 221 and reached 706 thousand 387. This means that the number of vehicles transported by Ro-Ro ships has more than tripled in 22 years. Last year, 69 percent of the transports were carried out on Ro-Ro lines with connections to Europe, 15,5 percent to the Mediterranean and 15,2 percent to the Black Sea. The fact that approximately 68 percent of European transports were carried out on the Italian route underlines the importance of this route.
Types of Vehicles Transported and First Four Months Data
Last year, 68,5 percent of the vehicles transported on Ro-Ro lines were trailers, 28,1 percent were lorries, and 1,9 percent were trailers and semi-trailers. As of April 2025, it is stated that Türkiye operates on 28 active Ro-Ro lines. In the January-April period of 2025, the number of vehicles transported on regular Ro-Ro lines with international connections increased by 7,8 percent compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching 246.
Future Prospects and Strategic Importance
This growth trend in Türkiye's Ro-Ro transportation is expected to continue in the coming years. The advantages offered by its geographical location, investments in the maritime sector and the increasing volume of international trade further increase the strategic importance of Ro-Ro transportation for Turkey. The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure's work in this area aims to increase Türkiye's competitiveness in international trade and strengthen its logistics infrastructure.
