A study predicts Kocaeli ports' container traffic will rise to 3.1 million TEU by 2030, highlighting the need for infrastructure investments.
An academic study prepared by researchers from Kocaeli University and Piri Reis University has revealed the expected level of container traffic in Kocaeli ports by the year 2030. The research also highlighted the importance of new infrastructure investments.
The academic research titled 'Container Handling Forecasts for Transportation and Infrastructure Planning in Container Ports: 2025–2030 Kocaeli Projection,' prepared by Dr. Zehra Yalnız from Kocaeli University and Talha Yalnız from Piri Reis University, presents striking results regarding the future of maritime trade in Kocaeli.
According to the study, the container handling volume at Kocaeli ports is expected to rise from 2 million 322 thousand TEU in 2024 to 3 million 103 thousand TEU by 2030. This situation indicates an approximate growth of 34 percent.
CONTINUING IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS
The research pointed out that Kocaeli is one of Turkey's most critical logistics centers due to its location at the intersection of land, sea, and railway transport networks. The projection, prepared using the official container handling data from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure for the 2004-2024 period, anticipates that the current growth trend will continue in the coming years.
According to the forecasts included in the study, the container handling volume is expected to reach 2 million 577 thousand TEU in 2025, 2 million 693 thousand TEU in 2026, 2 million 812 thousand TEU in 2027, 2 million 896 thousand TEU in 2028, and 3 million 7 thousand TEU in 2029. By 2030, this figure is expected to exceed 3 million 103 thousand TEU.
GUIDANCE FOR DECISION-MAKERS
The researchers emphasized that the anticipated increase in container volume at Kocaeli ports does not merely signify an expansion of port capacity. It was noted that the rising cargo traffic would directly contribute to the continuity of industrial production, the expansion of foreign trade volume, and regional economic growth, while also creating new employment opportunities and added value in the logistics sector.
The study also stated that to manage this growth sustainably, it is essential to strengthen railway connections, promote green and digital port practices, and prioritize multimodal transport infrastructure that integrates sea, land, and rail transport. Furthermore, it is emphasized that the projections obtained will serve as a guide for decision-makers regarding future port, transport, and logistics investments.
News: Murathan Birinci / Nokta Newspaper
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
