Adil Karaismailoglu, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, drew attention to the importance of the Middle Corridor, the trade route connecting Europe and Asia, once again after the ship stranded in Suez. “Istanbul Canal will increase our presence and dominance in the Middle Corridor,” said Karaismailoglu.
With the Istanbul Canal Project, it is emphasized that Istanbul can become the ‘hub’ center of world trade after the ship accident in the Suez Canal. The megacity, which has recently been put into service such as the Eurasia Tunnel, Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, Istanbul Airport, and its face has changed with the projects prepared to be digged, such as Istanbul Canal, is in a center where all the land, water and airways of the megacity meet and it was underlined that, depending on the security problems experienced in different transportation and communication networks, it stands out as a very special hub of global trade.
Hub means places where passengers and freight are transported by sea, land, air.
STRATEGIC STEP
While drawing attention to the fact that the Istanbul Canal project is seen as a new and strategic step in the new conjuncture of the changing world, it is stated that after the accident in the Suez Canal, global trade was delayed, and the accident brought to the agenda the activation of alternative routes such as Turkey and the Northern sea route. It is emphasized that other projects, including the Canal, are preparing Istanbul and Turkey for the world, and in this sense, it is emphasized that the Istanbul Canal Project should be considered as a new and strategic step in the new conjuncture of the changing world.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT
In addition to its alternative to global trade, it is pointed out that the Istanbul Canal project should be evaluated as an urbanization project that will protect Istanbul and the straits against disasters and ship accidents. It is underlined that the project is planned as a precaution against increasing ship traffic and accidents in the straits. In this context, it is emphasized that the Bosphorus is home to sea traffic four times the Panama Canal and three times the Suez Canal.
SUPPORT TO URBAN TRANSFORMATION
While it is stated that the Istanbul Canal project is also an urban transformation project, “There are 1.5 million risky residences in Istanbul, which have been determined as a result of scientific studies. Of these, 300 thousand are buildings that need urgent transformation. In this sense, it is said that with our Istanbul Canal project, a great effort is being made for the transformation of Istanbul.”
Experts also point out that the Istanbul Canal project is of strategic importance in the international arena and that it is a project to protect and rescue the Bosphorus.
Source: Emlakkulisi / Translated by Irem Yildiz