(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 4. Ahlers Logistics sees
potential to further expand its services along the Trans-Caspian
International transport Route (TITR, or Middle Corridor), Johan
Elzes, New Growth Business Unit Director at Ahlers Logistics, told
Trend in an exclusive interview.
The importance of the Middle Corridor in Ahlers
Logistics' activities
"Ahlers Logistics' offices have been working in Central Asia for
over 25 years, recognizing the importance of routes to and through
Kazakhstan. The Middle Corridor, including its Trans-Caspian
multimodal route, is crucial for Western companies. It offers a
revived path between Europe and Asia, especially with the current
traditional routes facing sanctions," he said.
According to Johan Elzes, Ahlers Logistics uses its experience
along the entire corridor, not only in Central Asia but also in
Georgia and Türkiye, to ensure smooth cargo movement along this
corridor.
"This connects our hub in China with Europe and vice versa. Our
goal is to provide efficient logistics solutions for businesses to
benefit from this route's opportunities, adapting to their changing
needs in global trade. With our experience in complex markets and
global network, we help our customers navigate global trade
complexities and seize Middle Corridor opportunities," he
noted.
As he noted, for Ahlers Logistics, compliance stands as a
cornerstone of business.
"Although the North-South Transport Corridor is a vital link for
trade, it is troubled by sanctions and unexpected events. Our
customer base is made up of Western companies looking for new
routes to Central Asia and China, bypassing Russia and Iran. Thus,
we see significant potential in further expanding our
transportation services along the TITR," he said.
According to him, the Middle Corridor not only offers access to
booming markets but also facilitates trade routes to the Middle
East, North Africa, and the European Mediterranean region.
"Our focus is on leveraging our comprehensive solutions and deep
understanding of the region's challenges to offer these end-to-end
solutions tailored to the needs of European and American companies.
We understand the challenges posed by limited infrastructure
capacity and fluctuating transport prices along this route. The
TITR is still lacking cooperation among the involved states. This
translates into a considerable burden for our customers, who are
compelled to navigate the requirements of five distinct countries –
encompassing customs procedures, legal compliance, certification
protocols, and more – while simultaneously engaging with five
different local partners," he said.
Johan Elzes noted that Ahlers Logistics serves as a single point
of contact, smoothly managing all the challenges along the
route.
"We employ a data-driven approach to navigate these challenges,
ensuring transparent pricing structures and real-time updates for
our clients. We have a strong procurement team of experts in
Türkiye, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan. Through strategic
partnerships, investments, and adherence to European standards and
sustainability practices, we aim to even further enhance our
presence and capabilities along the Middle Corridor," he said.
Activities in Kazakhstan and in the region
Speaking about activities in Kazakhstan, the unit director
pointed out that Ahlers Logistics has been in Kazakhstan for over
25 years, nurturing a rich portfolio of local partners and
fostering long-standing relationships in the region.
"We have our procurement experts in the key locations – Almaty,
Istanbul, Izmir, Poti, and Baku. They play a crucial role in
building up a pool of reliable transport companies, including
certified providers for secured transportation of theft-sensitive
goods and handling oversized or temperature-sensitive cargo," he
said.
According to him, of course, the company sees tough hurdles for
carrier companies in Central Asia and the Caucasus.
"These include small fleets, limited routes, and not enough
budget to cover risks or invest in things like security,
international certification, and IT. Plus, the instability in local
markets, like in Türkiye, where companies go bankrupt often due to
high competition and inflation. However, leveraging our extensive
network, we adeptly navigate these challenges to empower our
customers' expansion within the region. In the end, we are
responsible for ensuring reliable service. Our customer portfolio
spans various industries like consumer goods, project cargo,
electronics, and chemicals, each demanding stringent adherence to
specific requirements," Johan Elzes said.
As he noted, Ahlers views Central Asia as a promising investment
destination.
Investment project in Kazakhstan
"In line with this vision, we plan to construct an A-class
warehouse in Almaty that meets all European standards. By offering
end-to-end logistics solutions tailored to the needs of Western
companies navigating this strategic route, we aim to solidify our
position as a reliable one-party logistics solution provider in the
region, pivoting around our expertise combined with our own
assets," he said.
According to him, the current portfolio of Ahlers Logistics in
Central Asia is quite broad, from tobacco and project cargo to
chemicals and heavy machinery.
"Continuous expansion of our customer base in the region is a
strategic priority for Ahlers Logistics, as we aim to seize the
opportunities emerging along the Middle Corridor. To underscore our
dedication, we signed cooperation agreements with Kazakh Invest in
March. Additionally, we collaborate closely with local business
associations such as the BeNeLux Chamber of Commerce, AWEX, and
Flanders Investment and Trade," Johan Elzes noted.
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