A truck operated by Irish carrier Hendrick Logistics has successfully completed an extraordinary journey of more than 8,000 kilometers to Dubai, becoming one of the first European transport companies to test the recently reopened route through Syria following more than a decade of conflict.
A Rare European Road Freight Operation
Hendrick Logistics remains one of the few European transport companies that still operates its own trucks on direct routes to the Middle East without transshipment or trailer swaps. The company recently decided to test the renewed Syrian corridor, which has become accessible again after years of disruption caused by the Syrian civil war.
For the mission, Hendrick Logistics selected a 2017 Renault T520, one of the oldest tractors in its fleet, coupled with a refrigerated trailer carrying cargo destined for Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
One Driver, One Truck, One Route
The entire journey was completed by a single driver — Irishman Mick McGrath, a highly experienced international truck driver. Before joining Hendrick Logistics, McGrath operated his own small transport company for many years and has extensive experience in long-distance freight transport.
His participation is particularly noteworthy because, in 2026, it is increasingly uncommon to see European drivers employed under EU conditions operating such long-haul routes into the Middle East.
McGrath departed on May 8, 2026, beginning the trip with a ferry crossing from Ireland to England. The route then continued through:
- France
- Belgium
- Germany
- Austria
- Hungary
- Romania
- Bulgaria
- Turkey
- Syria
- Jordan
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
Over the course of the journey, the Renault covered more than 8,000 kilometers across 12 countries.
Border Crossings Remain the Biggest Challenge
According to McGrath, the most demanding aspect of the trip was not the driving itself but the numerous border crossings between countries in Europe and the Middle East.
However, the transport operation benefited from the use of the TIR Carnet system, which is officially recognized both in Syria and across the Arabian Peninsula. The international customs transit system significantly simplified customs procedures and reduced the risk of lengthy delays at border checkpoints.
For international carriers, the reopening of the Syrian corridor combined with TIR procedures could potentially reduce transit times between Europe and the Gulf compared to alternative maritime and multimodal routes.
Extreme Temperatures Above 50°C
The route also presented serious climatic challenges.
During parts of the journey through the Middle East, temperatures exceeded 50 degrees Celsius. Under such conditions, even a truck’s air-conditioning system provides limited relief.
Drivers operating in the region often adapt by resting in shaded areas alongside their trailers whenever possible — a common practice among Middle Eastern truck drivers. McGrath experienced these conditions firsthand while crossing Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries.
One Month to Reach Dubai
The delivery ultimately became a month-long operation.
In the second week of June, exactly one month after departure, the silver Renault T520 arrived at its destination in Dubai, where representatives of Hendrick Logistics were waiting to receive the vehicle and cargo.
Following the unloading of the refrigerated trailer, McGrath returned home by air for a well-earned rest. However, according to the company, another long-distance international assignment is already expected to follow.
A Sign of Changing Logistics Routes
The successful completion of the journey demonstrates how geopolitical changes and the reopening of transport corridors can reshape freight flows between Europe and the Middle East.
As global supply chains continue to diversify and logistics companies search for faster land-based alternatives, routes through Turkey, Syria, Jordan, and the Gulf states may gradually regain strategic importance.
For now, Hendrick Logistics has shown that direct European trucking to the Arabian Gulf remains possible — even if it requires crossing continents, navigating multiple borders, and enduring some of the harshest driving conditions in the world.
Read also: European Freight Transport by 2030: Major Cargo Flows Shift Eastward
