DHL Türkiye launches Syria, Iraq road routes to GCC

DHL Global Forwarding Türkiye has introduced multimodal road transport routes between Europe–GCC and Türkiye–GCC trade lanes. The solutions use two main corridors through Syria and Iraq to move dry, palletised cargo towards GCC markets. Transit times from Türkiye to GCC range from about 14–19 days via Syria and 17–23 days via Iraq. For Europe to GCC shipments routed through Türkiye, transit times are around 22–31 days via Syria and 25–35 days via Iraq. The cargo moves through controlled transloading points in Türkiye and Jordan, with structured border and documentation processes.

The development comes as shippers face unstable conditions across several trade routes. By offering more than one corridor, the system gives companies alternative routing when one path becomes slower or restricted. The Syria route relies on convoy movements and stricter transit checks, while the Iraq route is managed on a shipment-by-shipment approval basis with insurance coverage options. These structures aim to keep cargo flowing even when conditions change.

For supply chains, the main impact is flexibility and predictability. Companies can shift between corridors depending on delays, border conditions, or regulatory changes. This reduces dependency on a single route and helps maintain delivery schedules for time-sensitive goods. It also allows better planning of inventory and transport costs. Overall, the model reflects a shift towards diversified overland logistics in response to ongoing trade volatility between Europe, Türkiye, and the Gulf region.