A NEW container terminal on the south coast of Turkey hopes to capture 35 per cent of the country's GDP as it takes advantage of government efforts to establish a fast freight corridor, reports the UK's Port Strategy.

Yilport Gemlik will be Yildirim's second container terminal in Turkey to be completed in December 2013 and sits on one million square metres, with it US$2 million Phase I providing an annual of 600,000 TEU.

Yildirim CEO Sean Pierce told Port Strategy that the terminal, built near the existing bulk area will be able to service not only Istanbul, but two nearby manufacturing areas.

This coincides with Ankara's decision to build the country's biggest highway and a new bridge across the Izmir Gulf linking Turkey's two largest cities, Istanbul and Izmir, which will cut transit from two hours to six minutes.

Said Mr Pierce: "This offers one-stop-shopping for both the lines and their customers", adding that the new hub will be integrated with customs, shipping lines, truckers and other interests.