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SANCTIONS FALLOUT SHIFTS ROUTES


BY Edward HARDY


C flows,”


arriers and freight forwarders are being forced to overhaul logistics operations as geopolitical tensions reshape the global cargo landscape. In the wake of newly imposed EU sanctions, freight forwarders across the logistics sector are urgently


realigning their strategies to navigate around Russian airspace. The reconfiguration has triggered


a domino effect: rerouted


flights, increased delivery times, ballooning costs, and operational bottlenecks. Freight companies are responding with unprecedented agility—and in some cases, complete structural overhaul. “Acting as a freight forwarder, we have thoroughly reviewed all air


cargo routes operated by carriers utilising Russian airspace in light of the EU’s newly introduced sanctions,” said Chairman Bulent Aymen. “To bypass high-risk zones, we have restructured our routing strategies through Central Asia and the Middle East.” This redirection has intensified traffic through key hubs including


Turkey, the UAE, and Kazakhstan. But the reroutes haven’t come cheap. “We have observed a significant increase in alternative routing Aymen explained.


“This shift has increased costs by


approximately 15–20 percent, caused delivery delays of two to four days, and required greater digital integration due to reduced visibility caused by routing changes.” To counteract


the disruptions, Sabay Logistics has adopted


a multi-layered response strategy. These include securing pre- booked capacity blocks, enhancing tracking technologies, and creating real-time customer information dashboards.


Compliance, risk mitigation, and multimodal thinking As compliance becomes a more critical component of


“We have updated our airfreight risk models and established a


dedicated compliance control mechanism for shipments with elevated sanction exposure,” Aymen noted. “All our operations are conducted in full alignment with both EU and international sanction regulations.” High-risk cargo now undergoes a series of new protocols,


including Know Your Customer (KYC) checks for both consignees and consignors, AI-based product classification, and HS code automation for early detection of sanction-sensitive items. “These tools help us manage complexity and maintain operational


integrity under regulatory scrutiny,” said Aymen. The company is also helping clients adapt their broader supply chain


strategies. Recognising the growing limitations of airfreight, Sabay has been advising customers to adopt multimodal solutions—combining air, sea, and ground transport—to improve cost resilience and flexibility. “We provide strategic support in restructuring supply chains


through services like cost resilience analysis for small-volume, high- value goods, and supplier repositioning,” Aymen said. “We advise our clients on alternative transport modes—such as multimodal or sea–air solutions—to reduce their reliance on airfreight.”


Longer flights, higher costs The closure of Russian airspace has also brought operational inefficiencies to the forefront. With certain Europe–Asia routes extending by as much as 25 percent in flight duration, cost inflation has followed. “We’ve seen up to 18 percent rise in fuel costs,” Aymen confirmed.


“There is also heightened risk of delays, particularly for shipments originating from China.” To navigate this environment, Sabay has doubled down on forward


freight


forwarding, Sabay Logistics has taken assertive steps to bolster its risk management framework—particularly for high-risk cargo.


planning. The company now relies heavily on advance bookings, flexible capacity agreements with alternative carriers, and blended transport strategies that incorporate ground legs alongside flights. “We’ve increased our storage capacity by 30 percent, upgraded


our handling equipment, and shortened transit


times through


enhanced fast-clearance customs infrastructure,” Aymen added. “These investments have positioned Sabay as a regional bridge along the EU–Eurasia–Middle East corridor.” But there’s also an increased focus on safety—especially in light


of Russian carriers re-registering aircraft and salvaging parts from grounded Western planes. “Monitoring safety and maintenance cycles has become increasingly


critical,” Aymen said. “At Sabay, we exclusively work with IATA-certified carriers and require full transparency regarding aircraft maintenance history as a mandatory criterion in our carrier selection process.”


Defence, energy, and strategic sectors Beyond commercial shipping, Sabay has observed rising demand from the defence and energy sectors, both of which require specialised logistics capabilities. “With the increase in defence spending across Europe, there


has been a notable rise in demand for defence-grade, sensitive equipment, and project cargo shipments,” Aymen explained. To support these sensitive moves, Sabay has partnered with


providers offering secure storage, armored transport, and radio- monitored


convoy systems. The company has also secured


exclusive agreements with carriers authorised to handle classified and military-grade cargo. Meanwhile, Turkey’s growing role as a logistics hub is becoming more


prominent as energy-related shipments—like turbine components and high-voltage transformers—flow through its borders. “Turkish transshipment hubs have begun playing a key role in the


logistics of strategic products,” Aymen said. “In response, we have partnered with specialised providers to offer heavy-lift transport infrastructure,


optimised customs clearance tailored solutions for permit-based shipments.” procedures, and


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