XPO Logistics Launches Belgium-Turkey Transport Corridor
Leading end-to-end logistics solutions provider XPO Logistics has expanded its multimodal transport solutions with the launch of a new corridor between Antwerp in Belgium and Istanbul in Turkey.
The company efficiently moves more than eight million tonnes of freight every year. It serves approximately 52,000 customers with 610 locations and 39,000 employees in North America and Europe.
Its new route is 2,600km long, combining road and rail transportation to reduce transit time from ten days to eight compared to road transportation alone and enable companies to move greater volumes of products between Belgium and Turkey.
A low emission solution
Multimodal transport is a key part of XPO´s suite of low-emission sustainable solutions (LESS), which assist companies in decarbonising their supply chains and achieving sustainability targets.
In addition to enabling customers to replace road transport with alternative modes, LESS includes options for curbing CO2 emissions by substituting diesel with alternative fuels such as hydrotreated vegetable oil, natural gas and electricity.
With transport responsible for almost 37% of global carbon emissions and heavy trucks alone accounting for approximately 25% of transport emissions, it is vital to improve opportunities to reduce emissions through innovative solutions like LESS.
This new multimodal route offers significant environmental benefits, including a notable reduction in CO2 emissions.
Rail transport produces approximately 80% fewer emissions than traditional road transport, which equates to approximately 3,100 kg less CO2 emitted per trip on this route.
The road to supply chain resilience
The new corridor will also offer customers more regular service throughout the year, including throughout peak season, while also reducing road congestion- significantly enhances supply chain resilience and reliability.
By offering alternatives that include short sea shipping and rail transit between Germany and Italy, XPO Logistics diversifies transport options.
This multimodal approach mitigates the risks associated with relying solely on road transportation, such as traffic congestion and road infrastructure limitations.
The corridor will also alleviate road congestion, further enhancing delivery reliability and efficiency. The rail and sea routes provide consistent, predictable transit times, crucial during high-demand periods.
“Our dedication to multimodal transport solutions has been highly successful, strengthening XPO´s position in the combined road, sea and rail transportation market," says Christophe Verot, Managing Director of Central Europe at XPO Logistics.
"The implementation of multimodal solutions is a crucial step in enhancing the efficiency of our customers' goods movement while also reducing their supply chain carbon footprint to help them meet sustainability objectives.
"We are confident that the new corridor between Belgium and Turkey will result in environmental efficiencies, enhanced safety and reduced transit times for our customers.”
As the call to decarbonise grows stronger, XPO Logistics foresees that customers will increasingly turn to multimodal and alternative transport solutions.
The opening of the company’s newest corridor demonstrates its dedication to expanding multimodal routes, enhancing existing rail and road services across Spain, Luxembourg, France, Italy and Germany.
This strategic expansion not only diversifies transport options but also strengthens supply chain resilience and reliability.
In addition to rail and road services, XPO operates short sea shipping routes connecting the ports of Liverpool in the UK, Santander and Barcelona in Spain, and Savona in Italy.
These maritime routes provide a vital alternative to traditional road transport, reducing congestion and lowering the carbon footprint of supply chains.
By integrating rail and sea options with road transport, XPO Logistics creates a more adaptable and sustainable supply chain network.
This diversified transport strategy not only enhances efficiency but also supports the company's commitment to environmental sustainability.
XPO’s focus on multimodal solutions positions it as a leader in creating resilient, reliable and eco-friendly supply chains that can meet the evolving demands of its customers.
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