TÜRKLİM's Erçelik highlights Turkey's ports as vital alternatives amid rising geopolitical tensions affecting global trade routes.
TÜRKLİM President Erçelik: 'Mersin and İskenderun Ports Have Become the 'Emergency Exit' Gate of Global Logistics'
Hamdi Erçelik, Chairman of the Turkish Port Operators Association (TÜRKLİM), stated that the escalating geopolitical risks in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf have fundamentally altered global trade routes, emphasizing that Turkey's role as a 'safe port' has been reinforced during this process.
Passages in Hormuz at a Standstill
The elevation of security levels in the Strait of Hormuz to the highest degree (Level 3) and the exorbitant increases in insurance premiums have forced global container giants to change their routes. In his statement, Erçelik highlighted the following points:
'The uncertainty in the Strait of Hormuz has made it impossible to make direct calls to the ports of Basra. Shipowners are looking for alternatives instead of risking their billions of dollars worth of cargo.'
Freight Pressure: 'Due to War Risk Surcharges, costs have increased by up to 400%. Although it may seem farther in distance, combined road-sea transportation via Turkey has become more economical.'
Mersin and İskenderun: New 'Hub' Centers
President Erçelik expressed that especially our southern ports (Mersin and İskenderun) have become critical centers for the Middle East and Iraq market:
'Operators are now discharging cargo destined for Iraq and Gulf countries at our Mersin and İskenderun ports instead of directly unloading in Basra. The cargo transported by road from here to centers such as Erbil, Mosul, and Baghdad not only saves time but also keeps them away from active conflict zones. These ports serve as a true 'emergency exit gate' for the logistics chain.'
Future Vision: Shipping 5.0 and Capacity Increase
Erçelik reminded that in order for Turkey to make this opportunity permanent, the port infrastructure needs to rapidly digitalize and strengthen railway connections. He added that within the framework of TÜRKLİM's 2026 Vision, investments in 'Green Port' and 'Smart Operations' will make Turkey an indispensable maritime leg of the Middle Corridor.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
