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Turkish Ports in Sea Transportation

20.06.2025
Cem Özçilingir Cem Özçilingir
Turkish Ports in Sea Transportation

Turkey’s Maritime Transportation Ports are a vital part of international trade and the logistics sector. The ports connected to the country via the seas offer significant advantages for both importers and exporters. Turkish ports contribute to the development of global trade by enabling the safe, inexpensive, and rapid transportation of heavy cargo.

Turkey’s strategic location, being at an important point connecting Europe and Asia, makes Maritime Transportation a major role. It not only supports the country’s own trade but also directs a significant portion of international trade from the Middle East to Europe and from Asia to Africa. This ensures Turkey’s position as a regional economic and strategic power.

Since maritime transportation is generally cheaper and safer compared to road or rail transport, it is a preferred option for traders. Turkey’s ports leverage these advantages to increase the country’s foreign trade volume and strengthen its role in global commerce. It is critical not only for the country’s economy but also for the development of regional and global trade. 

Turkey Ports in Maritime Transportation

When it comes to Turkey, one of the first things that come to mind as a country surrounded by seas is Maritime Transportation. This makes Turkey an important port country for trade. Among the busy ports in Turkey, Samsun Port, Trabzon Port, Mersin Port, İzmir Port stand out as major ports. Additionally, Ambarlı Port, Derince Port, Bandırma Port, Haydarpaşa Port are also significant points for Maritime Transportation.

Thanks to Turkey’s geographical location and its ports, the country is quite developed in this area. Especially ports located along the Sea of Marmara, the Black Sea, and the Mediterranean coast are of great importance for both domestic and international trade. These ports enable Turkey to play an effective role in transporting goods and services worldwide. The connection of road and rail networks to the ports also helps strengthen Maritime Transportation.
 

haydarpaşa container port

Container Ports

Container ports facilitate safer and more efficient operations by integrating with land and rail transportation. Turkey’s largest container port, İstanbul Ambarlı, is at the center of international trade. Ships longer than 300 meters can dock at this port. Within İstanbul Ambarlı port, important terminals such as Kumport, Marport, and Mardaş are located. These terminals provide the infrastructure necessary for storing and processing incoming containers. Additionally, within Gemlik Port, there are important facilities such as BP terminal, Gemport, and Borusan. They make a significant contribution to the development and growth of Turkey’s foreign trade. Container ports help companies transport their goods faster and more securely in international trade, making a major contribution to the economy. Container ports also operate in an integrated manner with rail and road networks, enabling a more efficient freight transportation system. As a result, importers and exporters can transport their goods more quickly and at lower costs. Turkey’s most important ports, İstanbul Ambarlı and Gemlik Port, hold strategic importance for the country’s economy and play a key role in integrating into the international economy. These ports are crucial in increasing Turkey’s trade volume and enhancing its international competitiveness. 

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