Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu evaluated the statistics for the January-June 2026 period prepared by the General Directorate of Maritime Affairs. Minister Uraloğlu reported that Turkish ports continued to grow in the first half of the year despite the geopolitical tension in the Strait of Hormuz affecting global maritime trade and uncertainties in global logistics.
Cargo and Container Handling Volumes Rise
Minister Uraloğlu announced that according to General Directorate of Maritime Affairs data, the amount of cargo handled at ports in the January-June period increased by 1.5 percent compared to the same period last year, reaching 279 million 112 thousand 301 tons, while container handling rose by 1.3 percent to 7 million 24 thousand 951 TEU.
46 Million 915 Thousand 913 Tons of Cargo Handled in June
Stating that they continue their efforts to increase Turkey's share of maritime trade, Uraloğlu said:
In June, 46 million 915 thousand 913 tons of cargo were handled at our ports. International cargo shipments increased by 1.1 percent compared to the same month of 2025, reaching 33 million 828 thousand 104 tons.
Uraloğlu also noted that the amount of containers handled at ports in June reached 1 million 195 thousand 392 TEU.
Kocaeli Tops the List
Uraloğlu stated that in June, the highest cargo handling among regional port authorities was realized at port facilities within the administrative boundaries of Kocaeli Regional Port Authority with 7 million 606 thousand 240 tons, followed by Aliağa with 7 million 573 thousand 818 tons and İskenderun Regional Port Authority with 5 million 442 thousand 739 tons.
Uraloğlu also stated that in June, transit cargo shipments by sea at ports amounted to 6 million 399 thousand 10 tons, while cabotage cargo amounted to 6 million 688 thousand 799 tons.
Feldspar Sees the Highest Increase
Uraloğlu noted that in June, feldspar was the cargo type that showed the highest increase compared to the previous month with an increase of 301 thousand 364 tons, and that 649 thousand 501 tons of feldspar were handled at ports.
Uraloğlu made the following statement:
In June, Portland cement was the most transported cargo type by ships destined for abroad from our ports with 1 million 9 thousand 867 tons. This was followed by clinker and feldspar. Crude oil ranked first among cargoes arriving at our ports from abroad with 2 million 586 thousand 62 tons. This was followed by hard coal (non-agglomerated) and scrap iron, respectively.
Most Cargo Shipped to Italy
Uraloğlu stated that in June, the most cargo was shipped by sea from ports to Italy, followed by the US and Egypt. Uraloğlu also reported that the most cargo arriving at ports by sea came from Russia.
