New message on ship services for the Trabzon-Sochi line: “We are making efforts to start it”

Acting Consul General of the Russian Federation in Trabzon, Rustem Khaziev, announced that they are making efforts to resume ship services between Trabzon and Sochi. Khaziev emphasized that a regular ferry line is important in terms of trade, tourism, and regional relations.

The statement came during a meeting held by the Trade Representation of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Türkiye with business world representatives in Trabzon. At the meeting held at the Trabzon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, trade relations between Türkiye and Russia, current developments in the Russian market, and investment and cooperation opportunities were discussed.

TTSO President Erkut Çelebi stated that Trabzon is working to strengthen its relations with Russia, noting that hazelnuts, machinery industry products, vegetables, and fruits are exported from the Port of Trabzon to the Russian Federation. Çelebi stated that timber and coal are also among the important trade items.

Recalling that intensive trade was conducted in the past with regions such as Krasnodar, Sochi, Novorossiysk, and Rostov, Çelebi expressed that the transportation problem needs to be solved. Stating that direct transportation to these regions from Trabzon was previously possible by ship and plane, Çelebi said, “We attach importance to the resumption of these ship services for the development of mutual trade.”

Khaziev, on the other hand, said that despite difficult international conditions, relations between the two countries continue to develop in many areas. Stating that Trabzon has historically been the center of Black Sea trade, Khaziev described the lack of regular ferry services as one of the issues requiring joint effort.

Khaziev noted that the reactivation of the line could reduce transportation costs, increase the volume of mutual trade, revitalize tourism, and strengthen human ties between the regions. Presentations regarding the trade environment and investment opportunities in Russia were also made at the meeting.