Hamdi Erçelik, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Port Operators Association TÜRKLİM, talked about the performance of the ports in 2024, the problems observed and the investments to be made in the ports. According to the World Newspaper, Erçelik;
I find the 2024 performance of our ports positive, and the numbers show this. The amount of cargo handled in ports in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period of the previous year %3,2 increased to 269 million 182 thousand tons, the amount of containers handled compared to the same period of the previous year %It increased by 11.2 to 6 million 781 thousand TEU ⁇ . The amount of cargo going from our ports to foreign ports in June compared to the same month of the previous year %With a decrease of 2.9, it was 11 million 266 thousand 49 tons.
The increase in the total cargo in our ports since February stopped in May, and continued in June. %There was a 3.5% decline. But still in the six-month total data %There was an increase of 3.2. When we look at the main reason for the slowdown in the increase, it is seen that it is due to the decrease in the amount of cargo coming to our ports from abroad in May and June. When we look at the types of loads, it is observed that the decrease in liquid loads continues. In the first half, Aliağa led the field with a trading volume of 44.2 million tons in total load, while the region has experienced an uninterrupted upward trend since the beginning of the year. In Kocaeli, which is in the second place, a total of 42.7 million tons was reached. On the basis of the port presidency in the container, Kocaeli, Tekirdağ and Aliağa port presidencies continue to increase uninterruptedly. Especially in the first half of Aliağa ⁇ da average %A significant uptrend of 35 was recorded.
How's the painting on the container front?
The slowdown in the increase in containers in Turkey, which started in May, continued in June and monthly development %3,2 increased to 1 million 137 thousand TEU. 6 months of the year compared to the same period of the year %We see a very high increase of 6 million 781 thousand TEU ⁇ ya with an increase of 11.2. Especially when we look at the global developments in containers; In addition to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, it was expected that the impact of geopolitical factors throughout 2024 would be even more negative with the impact of the Red Sea crisis. However, it is understood that the dynamics of the container market will change with the reorganization of trade routes as a result of Europe and the USA's efforts to reduce import dependence on China.
How do you evaluate the general situation of the world's ports along the line from Asya ⁇ to Avrupa ⁇ ?
The Red Sea Crisis, which broke out in November 2023, also directly and indirectly affected the Turkish maritime transport and port sector in different ways. While restrictions on access to the Suez Canal have led to delays in supply chains and increased costs, this crisis has also created significant opportunities for Turkish ports. Due to security concerns, ships' preference for the Cape of Good Hope over the Suez Canal led to a marked increase in transit freight volume at Turkish ports. Average transit container handling in Turkish ports in the first 5 months of 2024 compared to 2023 %It increased by 54.26. This further strengthened Turkey's strategic position and increased the importance of our ports in the global logistics chain.
How is your assessment of the increase in transit loads?
Energy transport has been affected by this crisis. However, despite the contraction of the trade volume of Turkish ports before the crisis, it has tended to recover thanks to the increase in transit loads with the crisis. The rise of insurance costs, along with security concerns, has led to ships being diverted to alternative routes, resulting in increased operational burdens as well as additional costs at Turkish ports. However, these costs were offset by increased demand and an increase in transit loads. In addition, the global shortage of containers has caused serious bottlenecks in ports. The difficulty of waiting for ships for a long time and finding empty containers caused disruptions in supply chains, negatively affecting production processes. Turkish shipping was also naturally affected by this global problem.
How are the major ports in Turkey affected by the current conjuncture?
Despite efforts to recover after the pandemic, vulnerabilities in the global supply chain remain. Delays occur in large ports, especially in handling, loading and unloading. Waiting times of ships in Turkish ports in 2024 compared to pre-pandemic %It showed increases of up to 20. Increased workload and container traffic at major ports create operational congestion at these ports from time to time, especially in transit containers. %An increase of 54.26% has revealed a picture of reaching capacity utilization limits in some ports. In major ports, rising demand and fluctuations in global trade have also affected handling processes.
What is your long-term perspective as a Turk?
During the crisis on a global scale, Turkish ports have become an important center of global trade, resulting in a significant increase in transit freight flows. In order to turn these opportunities into a sustainable advantage, it is critical for Turkey to strengthen its port infrastructure and invest in digitalization and automation projects and green transformation.
