CMA CGM adds Iskenderun Port to its MEDEX service, boosting trade links in southern Turkey starting October 12, 2026.
French container shipping company CMA CGM has included İskenderun Port in its MEDEX service network to expand port connections in southern Turkey. With the new arrangement effective from the week of October 12, 2026, İskenderun will gain direct container shipping connections to key ports in the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent.
İskenderun has been added to the MEDEX service route.
According to the announcement made by CMA CGM Turkey, the new port call sequence for the MEDEX service has been determined as İskenderun, Beirut, Jeddah, Duqm, Mundra, Nhava Sheva, Colombo, and Djibouti.
The new connection aims to broaden the access of exporters in southern Turkey to the maritime markets of the Middle East and South Asia.
It has been stated that the service will be operational starting from the 42nd week of 2026, specifically on October 12.
The first vessel will be CMA CGM TOSCA.
In the company’s announcement, it was reported that the first vessel to operate in the updated MEDEX service will be CMA CGM TOSCA.
With the designation of İskenderun as a new port of call, the goal is to provide direct maritime connections, particularly to Mundra and Nhava Sheva ports in India.
The company stated that the new arrangement will support container transportation between production and export centers in southern Turkey and international trade markets.
Support for apple and citrus exports.
The new connection in the MEDEX service is also planned to be utilized for the seasonal agricultural product exports from Turkey to the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent.
CMA CGM aims to meet the demand for the transportation of apple and citrus products using refrigerated containers (reefers).
With the inclusion of İskenderun in the service network, a new maritime transport option will be offered for cargoes requiring a cold chain.
Connection between Turkey and India is expanding.
Under the new MEDEX arrangement, loads departing from İskenderun will benefit from direct service connections to Mundra and Nhava Sheva, which are significant container hubs in India.
The service will also cover the ports of Beirut, Jeddah, Duqm, Colombo, and Djibouti, facilitating container transportation between the Eastern Mediterranean, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean regions.
CMA CGM Turkey announced that the İskenderun connection has been established to meet the supply chain needs of customers in the region and to strengthen their access to international markets.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
