Turkey Secures Advanced Locomotives to Bolster Eurasian Rail Freight Hub Status

ANKARA, February 2026 — Turkey is significantly investing in its rail infrastructure to solidify its role as a pivotal transit country for freight movement between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. This strategic focus is driven by a national ambition to become a leading international logistics hub, encouraging a shift from road to rail transport.

The nation's rail modernization efforts include the acquisition of advanced rolling stock, such as the EURO4001 diesel-electric locomotives. These powerful units are specifically engineered for demanding conditions, including heavy freight transport on non-electrified lines and steep gradients, with a maximum operating speed of 120 km/h.

This procurement is a key component of Turkey's strategy to increase its rail freight market share and capacity. The government aims to substantially boost annual transport volumes, targeting approximately 400,000 containers by 2030, a significant increase from the 29,000 containers handled in 2021.

The ongoing liberalization of the Turkish rail freight market is fostering an environment conducive to such investments. By upgrading its locomotive fleet with state-of-the-art vehicles, Turkey is enhancing its ability to handle larger volumes and more complex logistical challenges.

Ultimately, these developments underscore Turkey's commitment to leveraging its geographical advantage through robust rail infrastructure, contributing to greater economic integration and efficiency across the Eurasian continent.

Source: RailwayPRO