Yusuf Öztürk emphasizes the need for a new investment model at İzmir's Alsancak Port to enhance its competitiveness and efficiency.
Yusuf Öztürk, President of the İMEAK DTO İzmir Branch, stated, 'A new chapter focused on investment and organization is opening at the port. Here, rather than a transfer of operation, a hybrid model will be established where cargo and tourism are separated. Idle areas are being transformed into attraction centers similar to Galata Port.'
Decisions regarding the management model at Alsancak Port, which plays a strategic role in İzmir's foreign trade, have resonated widely in the sector. Yusuf Öztürk, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the İMEAK Chamber of Shipping (DTO) İzmir Branch, emphasized during the ordinary assembly meeting in March that this transformation is a necessary and timely step aimed at making the port more effective and competitive.
Öztürk highlighted that the İzmir Alsancak Port has not been privatized, stating, 'The owner of the port is still the Turkey Wealth Fund. A separate organization will be established for its operation. The strings will still be in the hands of the Wealth Fund. A new page focused on investment and organization is now opening at the port. Here, rather than a transfer of operation, a hybrid model is being created where cargo and tourism are separated. Idle areas are being transformed into attraction centers similar to Galata Port. Questions arise as to why not a different company. There is no point in asking these questions; it’s not just us. When we consider whether the operating organization is capable of port management, we must not forget that this company operates ports in Trabzon, Turkey, Baku, Azerbaijan, Somalia, Congo, Guinea, Gambia, and Equatorial Guinea. It is beneficial to base our comments on this.'
Öztürk continued, 'The Albayrak Group will not make any investments. All investments will be made by the Turkey Wealth Fund. Very large crane orders have been placed. It may take some time for these cranes to arrive. The owner of the goods will increase the value of the goods, including the works in the Gulf. All work will belong to the Turkey Wealth Fund. The Albayrak Group will be the operator. The port was losing blood day by day. The decision taken was a necessary intervention.'
'There was an illness, and surgery was needed. I believe this decision is correct. İzmir Port has been one of the trade arteries of this city for centuries. Beyond political debates, we must recognize the strategic importance of ports.'
Referring to the data of ships arriving at the port, Öztürk said, 'Looking at the data from January and February, taking such a step is a good indicator. We expect a worse 2026 than 2025. According to the 2025 data, there were 330 Turkish-flagged ships and 1,135 foreign-flagged ships. Looking at the calculations for 2026, 45 Turkish-flagged ships and 150 foreign-flagged ships have arrived. When examining the traffic figures for the same month last year, there is a 25% decrease in container traffic. Considering the war, the situation seems likely to worsen. There is no significant difference in bulk compared to last year.'
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
