Aliağa ports excelled in 2025, showcasing growth in ship calls, tonnage, and exports, as discussed in the recent DTO council meeting.
The İMEAK Chamber of Shipping (DTO) Aliağa Branch held its regular council meeting for February at the branch service building. During the meeting, the 12-month performance of Aliağa ports for 2025, port statistics for the first month of 2026, sectoral developments, and support for education were discussed. Adem Şimşek, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of İMEAK DTO Aliağa Branch, evaluated the developments in the maritime sector and highlighted the position of Aliağa ports within Turkey.
The meeting was attended by Lieutenant Tugay Peker, Commander of the Aliağa Coast Guard; Günhur Şanlı, Regional Port Director of Aliağa; Kadir Sonocak, Director of the Aliağa Maritime Port Branch; and Faruk Altun, Director of Aliaport Port Services Inc. The agenda items were discussed during the council meeting. After the approval of the meeting minutes, the December balance sheet was presented to the council members and accepted unanimously. Following the sharing of the February activity report, the meeting continued with evaluations related to the agenda by Chairman Adem Şimşek.
“The Pain of the February 6 Earthquakes Still Resides in Our Hearts”
Beginning his speech by commemorating those who lost their lives in the major earthquake that affected 11 provinces on February 6, 2023, Chairman Adem Şimşek stated: “The pain of the February 6 earthquakes, which caused significant destruction in 11 of our provinces three years ago, still resides in our hearts. Our state has mobilized all its resources for three years to revitalize the region, and at this point, the destroyed cities have been rebuilt, and life has been restored. I pray for God's mercy on our citizens who lost their lives in this great disaster, and I wish patience and condolences to their relatives.”
“Our Support for Maritime Education Continues”
In his speech, Şimşek also addressed the support given to education, stating: “As part of the efforts we carry out with the Education Unit of our center, our assistance to maritime high schools, faculties, and vocational schools continues with the support of our member companies operating in the ship dismantling area. We will continue to provide our support with determination according to the needs.”
Aliağa Ports Continued to Grow in 2025
During the meeting, data regarding the performance of Aliağa ports at the end of 2025 was shared. Şimşek noted that Aliağa maintains a strong position across many categories, from the number of ship calls to foreign trade figures, tonnage, and container traffic.
Şimşek stated, “The number of ships calling at Aliağa ports in 2025 was 6,224. In the same period of 2024, this number was recorded as 6,086. There has been a 2.27% increase compared to the same period last year, and Aliağa ranks second after Kocaeli.”
Referring to the long-term trend of ship traffic in Aliağa, Şimşek remarked, “The number of ships arriving at Aliağa ports has shown an increasing trend since 2011. The number of ships calling at Aliağa ports increased by 24.90% during the 2011-2025 period.”
Sharing data based on the port authorities in the Aegean Region, Şimşek stated, “In 2025, 1,337 ships called at İzmir Port, while 304 ships arrived at Dikili Port. The number of ships arriving at Dikili Port increased by 60%, while the number of ships arriving at İzmir Port decreased by 12.56% compared to last year.”
Aliağa Ports Closed 2025 as the Leader in Net Tonnage
Şimşek stated, “The net tonnage handled in 2025 was 88 million 699 thousand 276 tons. In the same period last year, this figure was 85 million 454 thousand 864 tons, marking a 3.80% increase compared to last year. Aliağa ports completed 2025 in a leading position in net tonnage.”
He also explained, “The net tonnage handled at Aliağa ports has increased nearly threefold over the past 20 years, reaching 88.7 million tons in 2025.”
Aliağa Leads in Loading and Unloading!
Sharing the loading data for 2025, Şimşek stated, “In 2025, the net tonnage for loading was 35 million 871 thousand 916 tons. There was a 4.84% increase compared to last year, and Aliağa ports maintained their leading position.” Regarding unloading data, Şimşek noted, “In 2025, the net tonnage for unloading was 52 million 827 thousand 360 tons. There was a 3.10% increase compared to last year; Aliağa ports also completed the year as leaders in unloading.”
288% Increase in Exports Over 20 Years
Şimşek remarked, “When we look at the net loading tonnage at Aliağa ports over the years; the export loading, which was approximately 9.2 million tons in 2004, reached 35.9 million tons by 2025, representing a massive increase of about 288% over 20 years.”
He also referred to export transaction data based on customs, stating, “The Aliağa Customs Directorate increased its export volume from 12.6 billion dollars in 2020 to 21.8 billion dollars by the end of 2025, achieving a growth rate of 72.5% over five years.”
Imports Tripled in 20 Years
On the import side, Şimşek stated, “The import unloading amount, which was 17.4 million tons in 2004, has nearly tripled over the last 20 years, reaching 52.8 million tons in 2025.”
Referring to the value-based transaction volume of imports by customs, Şimşek mentioned, “The Aliağa Customs Directorate increased its import amount from 8.5 billion dollars in 2020 to 13.5 billion dollars according to the 2025 import data, ranking 8th among customs directorates.”
Aliağa Maintained Its Power with an 8% Share in Turkey's Exports
Şimşek shared the following information regarding shares across Turkey: “8% of Turkey's total exports were carried out by the Aliağa Customs Directorate. In 2025, Turkey's total exports exceeded 273 billion dollars, and Aliağa's share remained stable at around 8%. In 2025, Turkey's total imports exceeded 365 billion dollars, while Aliağa's share decreased to 3.7%.”
Referring to total foreign trade figures, Şimşek stated, “In 2025, the total foreign trade in Turkey amounted to 638 billion dollars, of which 5.5%, or 35.3 billion dollars, was realized from Aliağa.”
Regarding container traffic, Şimşek made the following evaluation: “In 2025, the total TEU-based container traffic handled at Aliağa ports was 1 million 701 thousand 274. Compared to the same period last year, which was 2 million 119 thousand 221 TEUs, there was a decrease of 19.72%, and Aliağa ports ranked 5th.”
Aliağa Ports Started 2026 as the Leader Again
The council meeting also shared statistics for January 2026. Chairman Şimşek evaluated the container and tonnage data for the first month of the year.
In January, Container Traffic Reached 119 Thousand TEUs
Şimşek stated, “In January 2026, the total TEU-based container traffic handled at Aliağa ports was 119 thousand 146. Compared to the same period last year, which was 157 thousand 938 TEUs, there was a decrease of 24.56%. Aliağa ports ranked 5th in Turkey.”
Aliağa Started 2026 as the Leader in Net Tonnage
“The total gross tonnage handled in the first month of 2026 was 10 million 174 thousand 624 tons. There was a 5% decrease compared to the same period last year. Aliağa ports ranked second in total gross tonnage handled, following Kocaeli,” Şimşek stated, adding, “The net tonnage handled in the first month of 2026 was 7 million 414 thousand 395 tons. There was a 3.27% decrease compared to the same period last year; Aliağa continues to lead in net tonnage.”
Loading at 2.6 Million Tons… We Are Leaders in Unloading
Şimşek noted, “In January, the net tonnage for loading was 2 million 636 thousand 169 tons. Aliağa is the second port with the highest loading handling after Ceyhan. Compared to last year, there was a 9.85% decrease.”
Regarding unloading, Şimşek stated, “In January, the net tonnage for unloading was 4 million 778 thousand 226 tons. Aliağa ports showed a 0.80% increase compared to last year and are in a leading position in net tonnage for unloading.”
Providing information on ship traffic in January, Şimşek said, “The number of ships calling at Aliağa ports in January was 460. In the same period of 2025, this number was recorded as 522. Accordingly, our ship call number decreased by 11.88% compared to the previous year. We maintain our second position after Kocaeli.”
At the end of his speech, Chairman Adem Şimşek shared his good wishes for the beginning of the month of Ramadan, stating, “I hope the blessed month of Ramadan brings peace, tranquility, happiness, abundance, and health to our country and the entire Islamic world. May your Ramadan be blessed.”
At the end of the meeting, plaques and appreciation certificates were awarded to the branch members who achieved the highest transaction volume throughout the year.
The meeting concluded with the listening of wishes and hopes.
Source: ÖzgürGün
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
