Afrin Nakliyat

Afrin, who started his career as a driver in 2003 and founded Afrin Transport in 2021, explained their companies and the services they provide: “Currently, with our fleet of 20 vehicles, we mainly transport fruits, vegetables, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural chemicals. Although we primarily use refrigerated trucks, we also have curtain-sided vehicles. Most of our trucks are ADR-certified. We generally operate routes to Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, and many European countries.”

Emphasizing the importance which they place on having new vehicles and systems that support the transportation of sensitive goods, Afrin continued his remarks as follows: “We have many systems in place for temperature monitoring. We can control them via phone or computer. We even provide our customers with access codes so they can monitor the shipments themselves. Before signing any contracts, we present all the available options to our clients. With these systems, our customers can track many details, including temperature levels. We also provide detailed reporting.”

Stating that they are also strong in the fresh fruit and vegetable transportation sector, Afrin said that: "We work with many companies that lead the market in Turkey. We do our best to provide the most accurate and high-quality service."

"Vehicles Coming from Abroad Are Doing Transportation at Lower Prices Than Us, and We Cannot Compete with Them"

Stating that the Turkish transporter is very hardworking and addressing some of the issues they face, Afrin said that: "Unfortunately, it is not just foreign transporters or investors coming to our country who are trying to hinder us. We have many requests from our government. Sea routes affect us, vehicles coming from abroad affect us, and so on. Vehicles coming from abroad are doing transportation at lower prices than us, and we cannot compete with them. We are reaching a point where we can no longer compete. They take the loads from us and transport them at lower costs, more cheaply. This inevitably affects us."

“Turkey’s Most Prominent Sector is the Logistics Sector”

“The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Has to Protect Us”

Stating that their requests are for the same regulations applied to foreign vehicles abroad to be applied to them as well, Afrin gave the following examples: “For instance, Azerbaijan does not charge road fees for its own vehicles, and neither do we. But I am paying this fee. This person, for example, is doing transportation at a price that is 500 dollars cheaper than mine. Because they have an advantage over me. Another example would be: A transporter in Romania takes export loads from Turkey and buys cheap fuel from Kapıkule. But this is not provided to us. On the contrary, Europe takes more money from us. This could be prevented, and we have mentioned it several times. Because we are in a position where we can’t compete. However, Turkey’s most prominent sector is the logistics sector. Whether it’s an earthquake, a pandemic, or a war, the transporter is always at the forefront. We are doing everything we can, and we expect the same support from our government leaders. Instead of foreign vehicles taking this money, let me earn it and give it to my country. Undoubtedly, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure needs to protect us. There are a few ships from Turkey working to Russia, but there are none otherwise. Our ports do not treat foreign vehicles the same way they treat us. There are many examples like this in front of us.”

“Logistics Sector Will Grow Much More as It Receives Support”

Concluding his words, Afrin said that: "I have been working as a manager in the company for four years, but I have 20 years of experience as a driver. I am growing and fighting every day. As I earn, my country also earns. Logistics is a sector that will progress much further, of course, as long as it receives support. Without transportation, nothing works."