Türkiye (Turkey) Port List: Mersin, Asyaport, Ambarlı, Aliağa, Iskenderun, Gemlik

Türkiye (Turkey), uniquely positioned as a bridge between Europe and Asia, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, Aegean Sea, Sea of Marmara, and the Black Sea, holds a critical role in global maritime trade. The nation’s extensive coastline and the strategically vital Turkish Straits (Bosphorus and Dardanelles) make its ports essential gateways for regional and international commerce. The Turkish port sector is largely characterized by private operations, represented by organizations like the Port Operators Association of Turkey (TÜRKLİM), which contribute significantly to the country’s trade volume and economic development. Turkish ports handled a total of 13.5 million TEUs in 2024, reflecting their increasing capacity and importance in facilitating trade across diverse markets.

Here’s an overview of some of Türkiye’s major ports, selected and ranked based on total cargo throughput volume and significance:

1. Mersin International Port (MIP): Türkiye’s Leading Total Cargo Port

Key Features:

Location: Northeastern Mediterranean coast
Annual Throughput: Total Cargo approx. 31.75 million tonnes (estimated 2023) | Container Throughput over 2 million TEUs (2022). Facility Capacity: 2.6 million TEUs, 10 million tonnes conventional cargo (2017 data).
Significance:
- One of the largest ports in Türkiye by total throughput volume and a major container and conventional cargo handling port.
- Serves as a primary import and export gateway for central and southeastern Türkiye and a transit point for trade with the Middle East.
- Handles a diverse range of cargo, including containers, general cargo, dry and liquid bulk, and Ro-Ro.
Recent Developments: Capital dredging for expansion was completed in September 2024 to enhance cargo capacity.

2. Asyaport (Tekirdağ): A Major Container Hub in the Sea of Marmara

Key Features:

Location: Sea of Marmara, Tekirdağ
Annual Throughput: Total Cargo approx. 23.73 million tonnes (estimated 2023) | Container Throughput approx. 2 million TEUs (2024, recorded 20% growth as an MSC hub).
Significance:
- A key container terminal in the Marmara region, playing a crucial role in transshipment traffic.
- Equipped with modern facilities and deep draft allowing it to accommodate mega container vessels.
- An important link in major container trade routes connecting Europe and Asia.
Recent Developments: Achieved significant container volume growth in 2024, strengthening its position as a regional hub.

3. Ambarlı Port Complex (Istanbul): Türkiye’s Largest Container Port Complex

Key Features:

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sHXkGvYPxkV6Mque7
Annual Throughput: Container Throughput approx. 3 million TEUs (2024). Total Cargo volume is substantial, combining multiple terminals (e.g., Marport approx. 13.47 million tonnes, Kumport approx. 11.42 million tonnes – estimated 2023).
Significance:
- The largest port complex in Türkiye by container volume, serving the vast industrial and commercial hinterland of Istanbul and the surrounding Marmara region.
- A primary hub for container traffic bridging Europe and Asia.
- Handles a wide variety of cargo, including containers, general cargo, and bulk.
Recent Developments: Specific recent development details are limited in the provided information, but it maintains operational efficiency to handle consistently high volumes.

4. Aliağa Port Complex (Izmir): Aegean’s Industrial and Energy Trade Center

Key Features:

Location: Aegean Sea coast
Annual Throughput: Total Cargo from various terminals is substantial (e.g., STAR Refinery approx. 19.51 million tonnes, TÜPRAŞ Aliağa approx. 17.42 million tonnes, EGE GÜBRE approx. 8.55 million tonnes – estimated 2023). Container volumes also show significant growth (2024).
Significance:
- A major industrial and energy port complex in the Aegean region, hosting large refineries, petrochemical plants, and fertilizer factories.
- Handles significant volumes of industrial cargo including crude oil, refined petroleum products, petrochemicals, and fertilizers, alongside containerized cargo.
- Serves as a key gateway for the Aegean region’s imports and exports.
Recent Developments: Facilities are continuously operated and improved to meet regional industrial and trade demands.

5. Iskenderun Port: Eastern Mediterranean’s Industrial and Logistics Link

Key Features:

Location: Northeastern Mediterranean coast
Annual Throughput: Total Cargo including İSDEMİR Port is approx. 12.73 million tonnes (estimated 2023). Container volumes increased by 21% in 2024, showing recovery and surpassing 2020 throughput (710,600 TEUs in 2020). Expansion aims to increase capacity to 1.334 million TEUs (approx. 23 million tonnes/year) from approx. 3 million tonnes/year (dry bulk).
Significance:
- An important industrial and logistics hub for the Eastern Mediterranean region.
- Handles a mix of cargo, including containers, dry bulk (such as steel and coal), general cargo, and Ro-Ro vessels.
- Crucial for industrial exports and imports, connecting Türkiye to the Middle East and beyond.
Recent Developments: Undergoing expansion and modernization to increase container handling capacity. Showing recovery and growth after the 2023 earthquake.

6. Gemlik Port: Marmara’s Industrial and Automotive Gateway

Key Features:

Location: Gemlik Bay, Sea of Marmara
Annual Throughput: Total Cargo for Gemport approx. 8.26 million tonnes (estimated 2023). The entire Gemlik area handled 13.2 million tonnes from January-November 2023. Container Throughput for Gemport was approx. 671,492 TEUs (2022). Borusan Port in Gemlik has an annual capacity of 450,000 TEUs.
Significance:
- Supports a major industrial hinterland, including a significant automotive manufacturing base.
- Handles containers, general cargo, and is a key port for Ro-Ro traffic, playing a central role in automotive exports and imports.
- Its location in the Sea of Marmara and connectivity through the Turkish Straits increases its importance for transshipment and logistics.
Recent Developments: Borusan Port is undergoing terminal upgrades and expansion. Port volumes are increasing along with regional industrial growth.

Economic Impact

Türkiye’s ports are vital contributors to the national economy:

They handled a total of 13.5 million TEUs in 2024, demonstrating a significant volume of containerized trade.
They facilitate a substantial portion of Türkiye’s imports and exports across various cargo types.
Ports support numerous industries by providing essential logistics links for raw materials and finished goods.
They attract investment and create employment opportunities in coastal regions and the broader logistics sector.

Future Outlook

Capacity Expansion Projects: Several ports, including Mersin and Iskenderun, are undergoing expansions to accommodate larger vessels and increasing cargo volumes. Karasu Port is also set for a major expansion to triple its cargo handling capacity.
Strategic Development: Initiatives like the strategy development for the Port of Izmir by the Türkiye Wealth Fund aim to modernize infrastructure and enhance competitiveness.
Middle Corridor Development: Turkish ports play a crucial role in the development of the “Middle Corridor,” an alternative trade route connecting Asia and Europe. Investments are being made to enhance their capacity within this corridor.
Private Sector Role: The significant involvement of private operators is expected to continue driving investment and efficiency in the port sector.

Türkiye’s ports, benefiting from their exceptional geographic location, are dynamic hubs that are continuously evolving to meet the demands of global trade. From the high-volume multi-purpose operations of Mersin and the specialized efficiency of Asyaport to the vast container handling at Ambarlı and the industrial gateways of Aliağa, Iskenderun, and Gemlik, each port is integral to Türkiye’s role as a key player in international commerce and logistics. Ongoing investments and strategic planning are set to further enhance their capacity and contribution to the Turkish economy and regional connectivity.

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