TÜRKLİM Evaluated the 2026 Roadmap of the Port Sector at the 29th Ordinary General Assembly

The umbrella organization of the Turkish port sector, the Turkish Port Operators Association (TÜRKLİM), held its 29th Ordinary General Assembly Meeting on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the Marriott Hotel Istanbul Asia, with broad participation from member port representatives and sector stakeholders.

During the General Assembly, TÜRKLİM's activities in line with its mission to be the common voice of the sector, the work carried out in 2025, and the priorities for 2026 were discussed; sustainability, logistical connectivity, investment environment, and public-private sector collaboration were highlighted.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Durmuş Ünüvar, General Director of Shipyards and Coastal Structures Salih Tan, TÜRMEPA President Şadan Kaptanoğlu, and Prof. Dr. Erhan Aslanoğlu. Additionally, Regional Port Directors, representatives of civil society organizations, member port managers, sector stakeholders, and members of the press were present at the General Assembly.

TÜRKLİM: The Common Platform of the Sector

In the evaluations made during the General Assembly, it was emphasized that TÜRKLİM is not just a professional organization but also a platform that bridges the gap between the public and the sector, contributes to policy development processes, and represents the collective intelligence of the port sector. It was stated that the association guides the sustainable development of the sector through data-driven analyses, working groups, consultations with public institutions, and national-international collaborations.

“NGOs are a Complementary Force in Sustainability”

In his speech, TÜRMEPA President Şadan Kaptanoğlu drew attention to the complementary role of civil society organizations in the protection of the seas and environmental sustainability. He provided information about TÜRMEPA's 31 years of efforts for the cleanliness of the seas, as well as climate-focused projects carried out with female seafarers and international collaborations.

Erçelik: “Port Operations are the Backbone of Turkey's Foreign Trade”

TÜRKLİM Board Chairman Hamdi Erçelik emphasized the strategic importance of the port sector for the Turkish economy and foreign trade. Noting that maritime transport, despite being the transportation model with the lowest emissions, sometimes faces misconceptions in public perception, Erçelik stressed the importance of conveying accurate data about the sector.

Recalling that approximately 85% of Turkey's foreign trade is conducted via sea, Erçelik shared the key indicators for 2025 as follows:

Total cargo handling at ports reached 553 million tons (a 4% increase),

Container transportation rose to 14 million TEUs (a 3.5% increase),

Passenger transportation reached 2 million 138 thousand, the highest level in recent years.

Erçelik stated that geopolitical uncertainties, fluctuations in global trade, and tightening financing conditions have made the sector more vulnerable, and noted that TÜRKLİM has taken on a constructive role in advocating for the common interests of the sector during this process.

2026 Priorities: Investment Continuity and Logistical Integration

In his speech, Erçelik also addressed the main topics of the 2026 agenda, stating that a significant portion of private ports operate under the build-operate-transfer model and that uncertainties regarding usage periods pose a significant barrier to new investments. In this context, he emphasized that regulations concerning usage periods are a primary expectation of the sector.

He also indicated that railway connections and multimodal transportation projects that strengthen the role of ports within the logistics system are critically important for both competitiveness and sustainability.

Aslanoğlu: “Competitiveness and Transparency are the Keys to Sustainable Growth”

Prof. Dr. Erhan Aslanoğlu, who provided evaluations at the General Assembly, stated that the global and national economic outlook is shaped by increasing geopolitical risks, trade wars, and global financial fluctuations as we enter 2026. He emphasized that strengthening competitiveness is critical for the continuation of growth in the Turkish economy, highlighting the importance of technology-focused industrial policies, increasing export capacity, and having a registered, transparent, and accountable economic structure. Aslanoğlu noted that the logistics and port sector plays a strategic role in the continuity of foreign trade and in positioning within global supply chains, stating that strengthening port infrastructure and connectivity would directly contribute to Turkey's medium-term growth targets.

Ünüvar: “Ports are Turkey's Global Connection Points”

Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Durmuş Ünüvar stated that investments made in Turkey's transportation infrastructure in recent years have strengthened its position in global supply chains. He pointed out that ports play a key role in strategic initiatives such as the Development Road Project and the Middle Corridor, emphasizing that railway-port integration is one of the priority policy areas. He also added that Green Port practices will be updated to continue supporting environmentally friendly investments.

The General Assembly concluded after sharing wishes and expectations. TÜRKLİM stated that the meeting created a productive consultation ground that strengthened the common vision for the sector and thanked all members and stakeholders who contributed.

Source: SeaNews Türkiye

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