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Türkiye is preparing to open a new customs gate on its border with Bulgaria, just north of the Kapikule crossing, as part of efforts to ease freight congestion and expand trade routes to Europe, Trade Minister Omer Bolat said.
Speaking at a meeting with transportation sector representatives on Friday, Bolat said the Bulgarian parliament had sent a draft agreement for establishing the additional crossing point between the two countries. "This will be very important for our transport to Europe and will allow new commercial shipments," Bolat stated.
The project is expected to ease congestion at three of the busiest land crossings between Türkiye and Europe, Kapikule, Hamzabeyli and Ipsala. In 2025, a combined 4.86 million vehicles crossed these gates, accounting for about 47.2% of the 10.31 million total border crossings that year, according to Trade Ministry data.
Bolat said improving customs procedures, delivery speed, logistics capabilities, and infrastructure quality remains a priority for the government.
He added that reducing emissions linked to transport operations, expanding digitalization, and introducing modern customs practices are among the strategic goals aimed at optimizing logistics processes.
The minister also noted that Türkiye currently operates 1,124 bonded warehouses, including 747 type A and B facilities and 377 type C and E facilities, providing secure storage for goods involved in international trade.
Bolat warned that the ongoing war conditions in the Gulf region have created risks for maritime trade routes, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.
"We are all following that the heavy war conditions in the Gulf have made entry and exit to the Strait of Hormuz dangerous and caused abnormal price increases in the sector," he said.
The minister said rising energy and petrochemical prices could generate inflationary pressure and disrupt global trade channels. "Our wish is for the war in the Gulf to end as soon as possible," he remarked.
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