Turkey’s maritime industry has achieved a significant milestone, with four of its ports—Ambarlı, Kocaeli, Mersin, and Tekirdağ—ranking among the world’s top 100 container ports, according to Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu. This achievement was highlighted in the latest “Top 100 Ports 2024 Report” released by the UK-based Lloyd’s List.

Minister Uraloğlu emphasized the growing global standing of Turkey’s ports, noting that all four have improved their positions compared to the previous year. “In 2023, Ambarlı, Kocaeli, Mersin, and Tekirdağ ports were recognized among the top 100 container-handling ports worldwide,” Uraloğlu said in his statement.

Ambarlı Port made the most significant leap, climbing ten spots to rank 64th. Kocaeli Port advanced to 85th place, while Mersin Port edged up to 91st. Tekirdağ Port held its ground, maintaining its position at 100th.

Uraloğlu highlighted Ambarlı Port as a standout performer, with its container handling volume growing by 10.6% in 2023, reaching the highest level in nearly a decade. “Ambarlı Port’s success is a testament to the broader growth of Turkey’s maritime trade, which has been expanding steadily over the past 22 years,” he remarked.

The minister also pointed out the broader progress in Turkey’s maritime sector, which has become increasingly vital to global trade. In 2023, the total container volume handled at Turkish ports reached 12.6 million TEUs, marking a 1.5% increase from the previous year.

Ambarlı Regional Port Authority reported the highest container throughput, handling over 3.1 million TEUs in 2023. This included a mix of foreign trade, transit cargo, and cabotage shipments. Meanwhile, Kocaeli Regional Port Authority saw a 4.8% increase in its container handling, managing over 2.1 million TEUs.

These achievements underscore Turkey’s growing influence in the global maritime industry and reflect the country’s strategic efforts to enhance its port infrastructure and trade capacity. As Uraloğlu noted, Turkey’s position in the global maritime landscape is more crucial than ever, and the nation is poised to capture an even larger share of international trade in the coming years.