There are several options for shipping products from Germany to Turkey, two major economic powers in Europe and Asia. In this article, we take a look at the pros and cons of air freight, sea freight, and rail freight.
Major product categories shipped from Germany to Turkey
- machinery
- vehicles
- chemicals
- pharmaceuticals.
Air freight from Germany to Turkey
Air freight is the fastest way to transport goods between Germany and Turkey. However, shipping by air freight has higher costs per unit, and there is limited capacity for large or heavy items. Air freight is ideal for shipping small, high-value items or items that need to be delivered quickly.
In general, air freight costs for a standard 100 kg (220 lbs) of cargo from Frankfurt to Istanbul are around $3.000 to $6.000. Air freight transit time from Frankfurt to Istanbul usually takes 1-2 days.
Major cargo airports in Germany
Frankfurt Airport
Frankfurt Airport is a major cargo hub in Europe, handling a large volume of air freight each year. The airport has dedicated cargo terminals, with facilities for handling and storing cargo, as well as customs clearance. Several major cargo airlines operate there, such as Lufthansa Cargo, Cargolux, AirBridgeCargo, and many more.
Leipzig/Halle Airport
Located in the eastern part of Germany, Leipzig/Halle Airport is one of the busiest cargo airports in Europe and a significant gateway for the eastern part of the country. Leipzig/Halle Airport is well-suited for cargo operations due to its modern facilities, strategic location, and various connections to destinations around the world.
Munich Airport
Munich Airport is also a major cargo hub in Europe. The airport has several cargo terminals. It is home to Lufthansa Cargo, one of the world’s leading cargo airlines, and other cargo airlines such as UPS, DHL, and Turkish Cargo. Munich Airport is one of the busiest airports in Germany, handling over 400,000 metric tons of cargo annually.
Frankfurt-Hahn Airport
Frankfurt-Hahn Airport is a cargo airport located in the western part of Germany. It is situated approximately 120 km west of Frankfurt and primarily serves as a hub for cargo operations. The airport is equipped with state-of-the-art cargo handling equipment, including cargo loaders, conveyors, and forklifts. Additionally, the airport has a dedicated cargo apron with ample space for parking cargo aircraft. It is one of the busiest airports in Germany, handling over 200,000 metric tons of cargo annually.
Cologne/Bonn Airport
Cologne/Bonn Airport, also known as Konrad Adenauer Airport, is an international airport located in the western part of Germany. Cologne/Bonn Airport handles around 150,000 metric tons of cargo annually. The airport has been continuously expanding its cargo operations, adding dedicated cargo terminals and facilities to handle the increasing volume of cargo.
Major cargo airports in Turkey
Istanbul Atatürk Airport
Located in Istanbul, this airport is the main hub of Turkish Cargo. Also, it serves as a hub for other cargo airlines such as Qatar Airways Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo, and Cargolux. The airport has a dedicated cargo terminal with a total capacity of 800,000 tons per year and offers a range of services for handling cargo, including warehousing, packaging, and customs clearance. The airport is well-connected to major global trade routes and is strategically located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.
Ankara Esenboğa Airport
Located in the capital city of Ankara, it is one of the largest airports in Turkey, handling a significant amount of air freight. Ankara Esenboğa Airport is considered a secondary cargo hub for Turkish Airlines, which operates cargo flights to many destinations around the world.
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport
Also located in Istanbul, this airport is the second-largest airport in Turkey. Some cargo airlines like Turkish Cargo and DHL use Sabiha Gökçen Airport as their base for cargo operations.
Sea freight from Germany to Turkey
Sea freight is a cost-effective option for shipping large quantities of goods between Germany and Turkey. It is suitable for shipping durable goods that can withstand the journey. It has lower costs per unit and a large capacity for shipping goods, but it takes longer, and shipments are more susceptible to being affected by weather conditions, and products are more likely to get damaged or lost.
In general, sea freight costs for a standard 20ft container from Hamburg to Istanbul can range from around $800 to $2,000. Sea freight transit time from Hamburg to Istanbul can take between 7 to 15 days.
Major seaports in Germany
Port of Hamburg
It is the largest port in Germany and the second largest in Europe. It handles a wide range of cargo, including containers, Ro-Ro, bulk, and general cargo.
Port of Bremen/Bremerhaven
Located on the mouth of the Weser, it is the second-largest port in Germany and handles mainly containerized cargo and Ro-Ro traffic.
Port of Wilhelmshaven
A major port located on the North Sea that handles mainly dry bulk cargo such as coal and ore.
Major seaports in Turkey
Port of Istanbul
It is the largest port in Turkey and the second largest on the Black Sea. It is a major hub for container traffic, and it serves as a gateway for trade between Europe and Asia. The port has been an important center of trade for centuries and continues to play a vital role in the economic development of the region.
Port of Izmir
The second largest port in Turkey, located on its western coast. The port handles a variety of goods, such as agricultural products, petrochemicals, and manufactured goods. It has undergone significant modernization and expansion in recent years, with the goal of increasing its capacity and efficiency.
Port of Mersin
The seaport of Mersin is located on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, in the city of Mersin. It is one of the largest and busiest ports in Turkey, serving as a major transportation hub for cargo. The port mainly handles agricultural products, manufactured goods, and oil and gas products.
Rail freight from Germany to Turkey
Shipping by railway is another option for transporting goods between Germany and Turkey. The main route for railway shipping is through the Balkans, connecting Germany with Turkey via Austria, Serbia, and Bulgaria. This route is particularly suitable for bulk goods such as coal, iron ore, and grain. This method can be very cost-effective. It is also more environmentally friendly than other options. However, transit time may be longer. This method of shipping is also limited to certain types of goods.
Shipping by railway from Germany to Turkey is possible but not as common as sea or air freight. The transit time and availability of this mode of transportation can vary depending on the route, the railway company, and the services required.
In general, the railway transit time from Germany to Turkey can take between 5 to 15 days, depending on the route and the frequency of the trains. The freight trains run on specific routes and schedules, which may not always align with the desired shipping schedule. Also, the railway infrastructure between these two countries is not as developed as other means of transportation.
How much does it cost to ship from Germany to Turkey?
Many factors come into play when estimating shipping costs from Germany to Turkey, like distance, mode of transportation, type of cargo, etc. On Shiphub.co, it is easy to check the prices and find freight forwarders by filling out a simple form. Get a quote for your cargo completely for free.
Shipping from Germany to Turkey – summary
- The main products shipped from Germany to Turkey are machinery, vehicles, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
- The choice of transport for shipping products from Germany to Turkey depends on the type of goods, the quantity, and the time constraints.
- Air freight is the fastest option, sea freight is the most cost-effective for large quantities, and the railway is suitable for bulk goods. Each mode of transportation has pros and cons, so it is important to evaluate which option best suits your needs.
- On Shiphub.co you may find freight forwarders for free.
