The role of the Middle Corridor in global supply chains and SWOT analysis of Turkiye’s logistics infrastructure

Abstract

This study analyzes the increasingly strategic role of the Middle Corridor within global supply chains and evaluates Turkiye’s logistics infrastructure along this route through a SWOT analysis framework. The primary aim is to provide a holistic assessment by identifying the strengths and weaknesses of Turkiye’s logistics capacity in light of current global developments, while also examining related opportunities and threats. Findings reveal that, thanks to its geographical advantage and substantial infrastructure investments in recent years, Turkiye possesses the potential to become not only a transit country but also a multimodal logistics hub. Projects such as Marmaray, the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars (BTK) railway, and Istanbul Airport strengthen this potential; however, lack of modal integration, insufficient digitalization, and a shortage of skilled labor present critical constraints. In addition to offering actionable recommendations for policymakers, the study also opens new avenues for future research. By evaluating Turkiye’s logistics infrastructure through a SWOT-based lens in the context of the Middle Corridor, this research provides a distinct scholarly contribution to the academic discourse on the subject.