LP 05/2023 Turkey-Syria Earthquake: Ports Situation Updates

The earthquake continues to cause serious consequences and affect port operation.

Following the earthquake jolted southern Turkey and northern Syria on February 6^th, death toll continues to rise and cargo operation at local ports are not yet restored. The association’s correspondent Vitsan Mümessillik ve Müşavirlik A.Ş. has travelled to the disaster area to check the status of ports and obtain information regarding Iskenderun ports, and we hereby update Members on the following.

I. Ports situation

Limak Port: The most affected port from the earthquake and closed for an uncertain time.

Gubretas Port: No cargo operation until March 2023.

Yazici Port: The vessels which cargo operation suspended will be primarily completed. The other planned vessels may be directed to their other port in Kocaeli / TURKIYE.

Assan Port: Mainly used for container handling and the cargo operation status is not certain yet.

Ekinci Port: The port is operational at the moment.

Tosyali Port: The vessels which cargo operation suspended will be primarily completed. At the moment will work with half of their capacity.

Atakas Port: The port will continue to port operations with their staff who are willing back to the work.

Isdemir Port: No cargo operation at the moment and damage assessment is in progress.

MMK Port: The port is continuing to handling the vessels with half of their capacity.

The ports in Dortyol, Ceyhan and Yumurtalik are operational at the moment.

II. Other information

The Limak port remains the most affected port from the devasting earthquake. The burnt containers have become wreck which have been handled and collected on an area of the port and there is still collapsed container stackings. As per limited information received, the damage assessment of the port is in progress and the port is not able to allow any third party for inspection inside the port area.

In the meantime, the status of Iskenderun ports were investigated and mainly noted that most of the ports are used for berthing of humanitarian aid and military vessels and the ports are planning to return to routine operations after completion of damage assessments as well as after ensuring their staff are safe and staying in a convenient place.

In addition, the roads to Iskenderun ports were checked which were in order without any visible damage and the ways are open to traffic for private transportation and trucks.

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