LP 04/2023 Turkey-Syria Earthquake Affecting Nearby Ports

Port operation has been affected by the devastating earthquake occurred in Turkey and Syria.

Two strong earthquakes struck south-eastern Turkey, near the Syrian border, in the early morning February 6th, affecting 33 major cities within 300 km from the epicenter. At least 10 provinces in Turkey were ravaged. Infrastructure damage and casualties were also counted in Syria, mostly in the Lattakia region. To address Members’ concern over local ports situation, the Association has reached out to its correspondents in the two countries and summarised below information.

I. Turkish ports

(Sources of information: Vitsan Mümessillik ve Müşavirlik A.Ş., Omur Marine) The Iskenderun region was devastated and the situation is worsening with most buildings collapsed. Most of people including the correspondent’s local staff are staying in cars on the road and some has moved to villages where they have second homes.

We currently have limited information about the affected ports as the correspondents can only text with their local office and agents after the destruction of communication facilities.

The Iskenderun Ports and especially the Limak Port are reported to have sustained most damage. The Iskenderun ports have been closed, and the Directorate General of Maritime has advised that the vessels waiting for berthing at Limak Port should be directed to the other available ports. According to local media, a fire broke out in Iskenderun ports on the container stowage area where the containers collapsed. The firefighting teams of local authorities are intervening the fire both from shore and sea side. As of the time of writing, there has been no official report on the damage and cause of fire. Atakas Port in Iskenderun region is operational at the moment and first vessel was berthed on February 10th early morning hours.

As to the Ceyhan and Yumurtalik Ports in Adana region, the local media has announced that BP Azerbaijan decided to suspend the loading of Azerbaijan petroleum product at Botas Terminal, Ceyhan due to force majeure situation. Operations of other cargo are continuing. The Sonmez Port is operational at the moment and a vessel has berthed.

In addition to all, the government declared state of emergency for 10 cities including Iskenderun and Hatay for 3 months, and the main roads to city has been allowed limitedly for transportation of vehicles carrying aid to disaster area.

II. Syrian ports

(Source of information: Raja & Omar Haroun) The devastating earthquake rocked northern Syria and affected mainly Tartous and Lattakia. The ports and terminals in both areas are operating normally except two gantry cranes in the Lattakia terminal were damaged.

The Association will remain attentive for new developments. For more information, please contact Managers of the Association.