At the 10th TRT World Forum in Istanbul, IRU put the spotlight on the critical role of road transport in improving regional connectivity, trade and supply chain resilience.
Speaking on the panel titled “New Geopolitics of Connectivity: Sea Lanes, Chokepoints and Corridors”, IRU TIR and Transit Director Tatiana Rey-Bellet stressed the need to remove barriers to international road transport and deepen cooperation to ensure smoother and more efficient cross-border movements.
Borders and driver mobility
International truck drivers continue to face visa restrictions, long border waiting times and administrative barriers that disrupt transport operations and supply chains.
“Professional truck drivers should be recognised as essential workers. They keep trade flowing and economies connected,” said Tatiana Rey-Bellet. “Supporting their cross-border mobility is crucial to ensuring efficient and reliable international transport.”
Simplified customs procedures, digitalisation and closer cooperation among countries can significantly reduce border waiting times. Tried-and-tested trade instruments like the TIR system facilitate international road transport by allowing goods to move across multiple borders under a single internationally recognised customs transit system.
New opportunities for regional connectivity
Against the evolving geopolitical backdrop, emerging transport corridors improve trade connectivity between Europe, Türkiye, the GCC countries and beyond.
Iraq and Syria, for example, offer new opportunities to connect regional markets and strengthen trade routes. When a sea lane closes, road transport can reroute within days, giving trade alternatives that other modes cannot provide as quickly.
“As new corridors emerge, road transport is becoming increasingly important and attractive as a flexible and reliable solution for international trade,” concluded Tatiana Rey-Bellet. “Unlocking their full potential requires coordinated efforts to facilitate border crossings, harmonise procedures and remove unnecessary barriers.”
