A Green Rail Corridor Between Türkiye and Romania

By assuming strategic procurement and process management responsibilities on the Craiova–Kocaeli rail corridor, we have delivered a sustainable and scalable finished vehicle logistics model under the leadership of our business partner, Ford Otosan. Enabled by the Marmaray crossing, this structure provides seamless intercontinental rail connectivity while offering lower carbon emissions and more predictable cost structures.

Within the Craiova (Romania) – Kocaeli (Türkiye) rail project led by Ford Otosan, we played a guiding role by taking ownership of strategic procurement and end-to-end process management.

As part of the project, we managed the transportation of finished vehicles produced at Ford Otosan’s Craiova plant to Kocaeli through a regular and planned rail logistics model. By offering a strong alternative to conventional road- and sea-based transportation, this structure introduces a more efficient and environmentally responsible approach to automotive logistics.

Seamless Intercontinental Flow via the Marmaray Crossing

With operations commencing in January 2026, we established uninterrupted rail connectivity between Europe and Türkiye through the Marmaray crossing. Train sets with a capacity of up to 18 wagons and 216 vehicles per journey enable finished vehicles to be transported directly from the production facility to Kocaeli in a single, integrated flow.

Bringing Sustainability and Efficiency Together

The logistics model we have implemented delivers lower carbon emissions, a more predictable cost structure, and a safer operational framework. Through this approach, we contribute to Ford Otosan’s sustainability targets while combining the environmental advantages of rail transportation with operational efficiency.

Creating Value Through an Integrated Business Model

In the project, where we assumed responsibility for strategic procurement and process management, Mars Logistics served as the logistics service provider, while Körfez Ulaştırma—Türkiye’s first private railway train operator—ensured uninterrupted rail operations. Railport, Türkiye’s first intermodal terminal, managed vehicle handling and storage processes, while Transwaggon Group, the wagon supplier of Mars Logistics, also played a key role in the project.

Within this integrated logistics ecosystem developed under Ford Otosan’s leadership, the per-vehicle pricing model was transformed into a more competitive and sustainable structure in line with international standards.

Building a Long-Term and Scalable Solution

The first completed operation clearly demonstrated that this corridor is not a pilot initiative, but a long-term logistics solution with strong growth potential. With planned capacity increases in the coming period, we aim for the Craiova–Kocaeli rail corridor to play an even stronger role in automotive logistics between Türkiye and Europe.