Turkey Targets to Build an Alternative Strait of Hormuz Line in 3 Years

JAKARTA - Turkey is targeting the completion of a new transport corridor project linking the Persian Gulf with Europe via Iraq within three years to reduce dependence on the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz, a key route for seaborne distribution of a fifth of the world's oil commodities, is at risk of disruption amid the US war against Iran.

"This project could be completed in four to five years, but we will still discuss whether the project can be completed in three years after the work begins," said Turkish Minister of Transportation Abdulkadir Uraloglu as quoted by the pro-government newspaper Yeni Safak on Friday, July 31.

The project includes the construction of a railway line, a toll road, as well as telephone and energy infrastructure stretching 1,200 km from the Al-Faw Port in Iraq to Turkey, with a further connection to Europe.

The construction of the train line itself is estimated to cost up to 15 billion US dollars (about Rp270.5 trillion).

Turkey and Iraq previously agreed to the construction of a new border crossing post at Faysh Khabur-Ovakoy as well as a funding mechanism for the project.

Turkipun berusaha menyelesaikan proses dokumentasi teknis dan memulai pembangunan pada tahun ini, dengan memprioritaskan pembangunan jalur kereta api untuk memastikan transportasi kargo secara efektif ke Eropa serta mengurangi emisi karbon.

The report also said that when the project is completed, it will reduce global logistics dependence on the Strait of Hormuz.

The large-scale project involves Turkey, Iraq, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Turkey is projecting the new line as an alternative trade route that could become a shortcut from maritime chokepoints, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal.