Maersk launches weekly rail service from China to Turkey

Maersk says weekly rail service from China to Turkey offers faster transit times than the traditional sea route.

Maersk has announced the commencement of its new rail express service from Xi’an, China to Izmit, Turkey, the service is part of the Maersk Intercontinental Rail (ICR) network and is set for weekly departures on each Tuesday subject to utilisation levels.

The new route provides customers with a transit time of up to 16 days with multiple drop-off locations, according to the Danish company. Maersk targets the customers within automotive, technology commodities, textile as well as lifestyle industries.

Kasper Krog: Three years after launching the ICR service demand in China and Europe has increased

The Danish shipping giant says this new route will offer shorter transit times when compared to ocean transits, provide customers with wide network options connecting main locations in China and Turkey with a diverse range of connections in both wider China and Southern European destinations.

“Due to its strategic geographical location, wide industry sector as well as all ambitious initiatives taken by the government to improve the rail infrastructure across the country, we decided to launch ICR in Turkey not only for those companies located within the country but also as a link between Asia and Europe”, commented Kasper Krog, Head of Intercontinental Rail at AP Møller – Maersk.

Maersk adds that due to a well-connected rail system across the country ICR offers connections to Black Sea, Eastern Europe and Southern European countries via the port of Korfez in Izmit, by using Maersk’s feeder network operated by its subsidiary, Sealand.