Baku, Azerbaijan, April 26
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
In the framework of construction of shipping channel in Istanbul, it is also planned to build a logistics center, a source in the Ministry of transport, shipping and communications of Turkey told Trend April 26.
The source said this logistics center will become one of the largest transport hubs in Europe.
"The cost of the project is estimated at 1.2 billion liras," the source said, adding that like all other objects of this type, the new logistics center will be connected to the railway system of Turkey.
President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced for the first time the intention to build the Istanbul shipping channel in 2011.
The purpose of construction of Istanbul canal is to reduce the burden of navigation on the Bosphorus Strait, as well as to prevent the threat of environmental and man-made disasters on one of the most intensive sea routes in the world.
The width of the channel, according to plans, will be 400 meters, and its depth - 25 meters. The channel will be able to let pass 150-160 vessels per day.
Currently, up to 150 vessels, of which about 30 are oil tankers, pass through the Bosphorus per day on average.
Istanbul channel will run parallel to the Bosphorus and will actually make the European part of Istanbul an island, finally separating it from Europe. The canal will pass from the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea through the Küçükçekmece Lake.