Turkey's port cargo handling reached a record 553.3 million tons in 2025, a 4% increase from the previous year, says Uraloğlu.
Uraloğlu stated that they continue to work for Turkey to take a larger share of maritime trade and for the development of maritime transportation, which is a key element of foreign trade. He said, 'In 2025, the amount of cargo handled at our ports reached 553 million 268 thousand 303 tons, an increase of 4% compared to the previous year, breaking the record in the history of the Republic.'
Abdulkadir Uraloğlu reported that the amount of cargo going from ports to foreign ports increased by 0.4% compared to the previous year, reaching 142 million 784 thousand 2 tons, while the amount of cargo coming from foreign ports to domestic ports increased by 5.6% to 271 million 632 thousand 303 tons compared to the previous year.
Uraloğlu noted that in 2025, the amount of overseas cargo transported by sea increased by 3.8% compared to the previous year, reaching 414 million 416 thousand 305 tons. The highest amount of cargo handling in 2025 occurred at the Aliağa Regional Port Authority facilities, with 89 million 507 thousand 150 tons.
He pointed out that Aliağa was followed by Kocaeli with 83 million 939 thousand 975 tons and İskenderun with 70 million 905 thousand 737 tons. In 2025, the amount of transit cargo transported by sea at the ports was 69 million 157 thousand 356 tons, while the amount of cargo transported in cabotage was 69 million 678 thousand 982 tons.
Increase in Liquid and Bulk Solid Cargoes Stands Out
Uraloğlu emphasized that the highest amount of handling in 2025 was in liquid bulk cargoes, which amounted to 169 million 714 thousand 709 tons. He stated, 'While liquid bulk cargoes increased by 4.6% compared to the previous year, the increase in solid bulk cargoes reached 5.7%, totaling 160 million 938 thousand 575 tons. The cargo transported in containers showed an increase of 0.7%, reaching 144 million 339 thousand 527 tons. General cargo increased by 6% to 65 million 847 thousand 587 tons, while cargo transported by Ro-Ro increased by 4.7%, totaling 12 million 425 thousand 500 tons.'
Uraloğlu indicated that the types of cargo that showed the highest increase in handling at the ports were, in order, coal (non-bricked) with 4.35 million tons, crude oil with 3.15 million tons, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) with 3.08 million tons.
Most Cargo Sent to Italy, Came from Russia
Uraloğlu reported that in 2025, the highest amount of cargo sent from ports to abroad by sea was to Italy, totaling 17 million 276 thousand 832 tons. He added, 'Following Italy, the United States received 13 million 518 thousand 965 tons and Egypt received 10 million 869 thousand 420 tons. The countries from which the most cargo came to Turkey were, respectively, Russia with 101 million 562 thousand 166 tons, the United States with 21 million 729 thousand 680 tons, and Egypt with 14 million 354 thousand 73 tons.'
The amount of containers handled increased by 3.5% compared to the previous year, reaching 14 million TEU. In 2025, the highest container handling was carried out at the facilities operating within the boundaries of the Ambarlı Regional Port Authority, with 3 million 428 thousand 48 TEU. Ambarlı was followed by Kocaeli with 2 million 505 thousand 678 TEU and Tekirdağ with 2 million 138 thousand 327 TEU. We expect the maritime sector to break new records in 2026 as well. With our strategies focused on maritime human resources and uncompromising on safety, we aim to increase our share in global shipping significantly, thereby enhancing the welfare of our country.'
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
