Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are reshaping global oil trade routes, strengthening Turkey’s position as an energy transit hub. In an article published by Foreign Policy, journalist Naomi Cohen examines how disruptions to traditional export routes have increased the strategic importance of Turkey’s Ceyhan oil terminal. With established pipelines connecting Azerbaijan and northern Iraq to the Mediterranean, Turkey offers an alternative for oil exporters, while competing routes face infrastructure, capacity and security challenges.
Commenting on these developments, Dr Carole Nakhle, CEO of Crystol Energy, highlighted that while no oil transit route is entirely free of risk, Turkey may enjoy a comparative advantage. Its established pipeline infrastructure, Mediterranean access and relatively efficient transportation routes strengthen its position against competing corridors facing capacity, security and operational constraints.
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