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The foundation of the EMH2 Project with a budget of 375 million dollars, which will increase the capacity of Mersin International Port from 2.6 million TEU to 3.6 million TEU, was laid with a ceremony.
Mehmet Nabi Batuk / MERSIN
The groundbreaking ceremony of the Mersin International Port Expansion Project (EMH2), which will be implemented with an investment of 375 million dollars that will increase the competitiveness of Mersin International Port in the global league, was held with the participation of Adil Karaismailoğlu, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure. Mersin International Port Management Inc. (MIP) will increase the total container handling capacity of the port from 2.6 million TEU to 3.6 million TEU in the project, which will be implemented in order to meet the growing business volume in the region and the increase in the number of mega-ships served by the port. The investments are expected to be completed in 1.5 years.
Daele: Mersin’s strategic position as the gateway to the Eastern Mediterranean will become stronger
MIP General Manager Johan Van Daele, who made the opening speech of the ceremony, stated that with the completion of the Mersin International Port expansion project, Mersin’s strategic position as the gateway to the Eastern Mediterranean will become even stronger. Johan Van Daele stated that with the completion of the expansion project, additional employment will be created for 500 people directly and for 5 thousand people indirectly, “As MIP, we work close to the maximum terminal capacity at peak times with high export and import business volume. We have to bring the port to an efficient capacity, not only for the continuity of trade, but also for maintaining the key role of Mersin. We continue to work intensively to provide the service needed by the Hinterlant ecosystem and to provide a strong and sustainable business environment for the region. With the awareness of our responsibility, we are determined to increase our activities in this field and to create new employment opportunities for more people. While strengthening our position among the world’s ports, we will continue to contribute to the development of the region and the country. Thus, we will be able to transfer the trust we received from TCDD until 2043, with the technology of that day, to the Turkish people and Mersin, who are the original owners.”
Yang: Mersin’s main center position in the Eastern Mediterranean will be consolidated
PSA Europe, Mediterranean and Americas Regional CEO David Yang attended the ceremony with a video message. Stating that Mersin Port EMH2 Expansion Project will be the beginning of the investment studies that Mersin International Port will make in the future, David Yang said, “We will develop port-based supply chain solutions for cargo owners who will benefit from our investment, and provide logistics connection and logistics connection of cargoes through precisely programmed intermodal connection and technology supported digital platforms. will increase its visibility and consolidate Mersin’s position as a main hub for the Eastern Mediterranean Region. With the ecosystem created by MIP, we will continue to invest in infrastructure, technology and people, and we will make significant contributions to the city and the country’s economy.”
Water: It will support the employment of the city
Expressing that the expansion project will make a very serious contribution to the city’s economy, Mersin Governor Ali İhsan Su said, “Such investments will seriously support both the employment and industrial production of our city. Because the richness of our province in terms of both agricultural and industrial production will be able to be sent to the world more quickly at the end of the expansion investment through Mersin Uluslarasin Port.
Karaismailoğlu: Türkiye is one of the most important logistics powers of Eurasia
Adil Karaismailoğlu, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, who stated that investments continue simultaneously in nearly 4 thousand construction sites across Turkey, said that they are closer than ever to their goal of being one of the top 10 economies in the world. Emphasizing that Turkey is one of the logistics superpowers in the Eurasian region, which is on the rise, Adil Karaismailoğlu said, “As in all areas of transportation, we are implementing projects worthy of a strong Turkey in our seas. While the number of our ports is increasing one by one, we are expanding the capacity of our shipbuilding industry in our shipyards with contemporary qualities. We put our weight on the world maritime trade by combining the intelligence and will of the state with the power of the private sector. The figures clearly reveal our strength in maritime trade: In 2003, our Turkish-owned maritime merchant fleet was 17th in the world with 8.9 deadweight tons, while in 2020 this amount reached 29.3 million deadweight tons, and our ranking is two-stage. increased to 15. While the amount of cargo handled at our ports was 190 million tons in 2003, it reached 496 million 642 thousand tons with an increase of 261% in 2020. Our foreign trade shipments by sea also increased from 149 million tons to 365.4 million tons with an increase of 245% in the same period. We have also covered significant distance in terms of container tonnage handled at our ports. We increased the amount from 2.5 TEU in 2003 to 11.6 million tons in 2020. The number of vehicles transported on international Ro-Ro lines reached 504 thousand 752 in 2020 with an increase of 229%. This picture is a concrete indicator of the admirable success of Turkish maritime and Turkish port management.
In the last 13 years, 1.2 billion dollars have been invested in Mersin International Port.
Pointing out that Mersin is located at a very strategic point in terms of both Turkish economy and dominance over the Eastern Mediterranean, Minister Karaismailoğlu said: “Mersin is becoming the favorite transportation, energy and trade center of our country with its expanding ports, nuclear power plants and Çukurova Airport. Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, for which the 3rd Reactor was laid by our President, and Çukurova Airport, where we started the works after the completion of the tender, are examples of the giant projects we have realized in the region. TCDD Mersin Port is one of the leading ports of Turkey and the Eastern Mediterranean. Our port is of great importance for our country due to its geographical location, capacity, being adjacent to the free zone and integrating with national and international land, air, rail and seaway modes. Between 2007 and 2020, more than 1.2 billion dollars were invested in Mersin International Port. Our port, which has a critical function not only in our country but also in trade with Iraq, Syria and other neighboring countries, is constantly being expanded and capacity is increased in order to meet the needs and demands of the sector. Because, in international maritime transport, Mediterranean ports gain importance as transit ports on the Asia-Europe line.”
Expansion investment to be completed in 1.5 years
Stating that they aim to complete the Mersin International Port Expansion Project in 1.5 years, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Adil Karaismailoğlu said, “Our Mersin Port, with its expansion project; It will have a total berth of 880 meters in the south and will be made suitable for the berthing of 2 mega-ships of 400 meters. The capacity of our port will thus increase from 2.6 million TEU to 3.6 million TEU.
Ataturk Park will not be damaged
Responding to the allegations made by the public regarding the Mersin International Port Expansion Project, Minister Karaismailoğlu said: “During our work on our project, which will make a significant contribution to both Turkey and the regional economy, unfortunately, untrue allegations and news that upset us were also shared with the public. On this subject, I would like to tell you that, first of all, our Mersin Port Expansion Project has been planned within the limits determined in accordance with the “Operating Rights Agreement”. In other words, while expanding our port, Atatürk Park is located outside the borders of this area. As in the past, our citizens of Mersin and our future children will continue to benefit from the comfort and opportunities that Atatürk Park offers them. In addition, as the ministry, we started the study-project work to rehabilitate and develop the Çamlıbel Fisherman’s Shelter, which is located at the other end of the Atatürk Park and has a very old structure. In order to develop maritime activities in Mersin, the water sports center and the shelter capacity will be increased and renewed for the purpose of boat docking, and there will also be a recreation area with an 800-meter walking path, pier and viewing terrace for the people of Mersin to benefit from on this coastline.
Mersin’s freight transfer center qualification will be moved to a higher point
Minister Karaismailoğlu stated that Mersin Container Port study-project studies are continuing in order to carry Mersin’s international freight transfer center feature, which is developing every year, to a higher point, and said, “Our aim is to develop our Mersin as well as every city of our country, to increase its employment and to contribute to its development. Mersin International Port is both the largest port of our country and one of the leading ports of the Eastern Mediterranean, with the advantages of multi-modal connection convenience and transshipment and hinterland connections with the Middle East and the Black Sea. It reinforces the logistics power of our country, not only regionally but also globally.”
“Türkiye will get its rights in the Eastern Mediterranean”
Adil Karaismailoğlu pointed out that the weight of maritime lines has increased in freight and passenger transportation, and stated that they have mobilized the public and private sector cooperation opportunities to the fullest in order to have a say in every inch of the Mediterranean, which he defines as the blue homeland, and said, “Of course, we have a long way to walk. However, our country has recently asserted its targets for the Eastern Mediterranean and the entire Mediterranean basin in an ambitious manner. The determination we have shown in economic, political and military dimensions to increase our dominance in the Mediterranean is known to the whole world. The gains we will gain through our maritime authorization agreements with the countries of the region and the commercial rights we defend in the natural resource drillings in the Eastern Mediterranean are due to the supreme interests of our country and are halal like our mother’s white milk. “No citizen should have any doubt that we will get our rights,” he said.