Within the scope of the works, in addition to the dredging planned to start in the first quarter of 2027, old docks will be renewed and the operational efficiency of the port will be increased.
While ownership and investment responsibility for the port, which was taken over by TVF from the Republic of Turkey State Railways (TCDD) as of August 1, 2026, remains within TVF İzmir Port Management and Investment Inc., cargo operations are carried out under the management of Alport.
On the cruise port side, management negotiations continue.
With the completion of the first and second phases of the investments, the container capacity at the port is expected to increase to 3 million TEU (20 containers) and the other cargo capacity to 10 million tons.
TVF Izmir Port Deputy General Manager Arcan Fayatorbay told the AA correspondent that a new management model has been designed in the port without transferring concession rights.
Stating that they divided the port into two as cargo and passenger, Fayatorbay said, "As a result of the negotiations with eight companies, Alport gave the best offer. The ownership of the port will remain with TVF Liman AŞ and we will carry out the investments completely. While the strategy and operational main control will be on our side, Alport will carry out daily commercial activities on the cargo side." he said.
TVF İzmir Port Executive Board Member Erhan Yelkenci also stated that the docks built in the port in the 1950s and 1980s will be comprehensively renewed.
"Bottom dredging will also contribute to the ecosystem of the bay."
Stating that the work will start in the first months of 2027, Yelkenci said:
"We foresee a total investment of 1.5 billion dollars in two phases on the cargo side. We will transform the cruise and cargo docks in the four-year first phase of the works, which will be carried out without interrupting the port operations. We plan to complete the second phase, which will proceed depending on the volume, in a 10-year period. We plan to start dredging in the first quarter of 2027 so that 400-meter ships in the world can enter here. The dredging, which will be completed in approximately 2 years, will also contribute to the ecosystem of the bay. "We will close the cruise dock, which has static problems, at the beginning of 2027 for occupational safety reasons. We aim to renovate the dock within 2 years and host cruise ships again in 2029."
Alport Ports Coordinator Mustafa Levent Adalı emphasized that the port, commonly known as Izmir Alsancak Port, is a strategic center that serves the entire Aegean Region and has a railway connection.
Pointing out that foreign trade in the region grows at an average annual rate of 5 to 7 percent, Adalı said, "As soon as we took over the operations, we activated the terminal operation operating system. Thanks to the established experienced staff and automation, we increased the number of movements per ship per hour, which was 13 per hour before the transfer, to 63 as of August. We increased the speed more than four times. As the investments come, these will increase to much better levels." he said.
- "For Aegean exporters, the need for transfers will decrease and transit times will be shortened"
Alport Business Development Director Onurhan Kadıoğlu also stated that the approach channel of the port will be increased to a depth of 17 meters and that they aim to increase the annual handling capacity from 1 million TEU to 1.6 million TEU after the dredging works to be completed.
Stating that they will not cause any interruption in operations during the modernization process, Kadıoğlu said:
"When the investments are completed, ship waiting times and the time spent at the dock are significantly reduced, aiming for a speed of over 30 movements per hour per crane. We aim for a port where regular line ships dock in Izmir without waiting and leave within the planned time. By strengthening the existing railway connection, we plan regular trips to the port from the production centers in Manisa, Aydın, Denizli and Central Anatolia. The share of the railway in the total port output is planned to be increased to 30 percent. The depth problem "When this is resolved, the need for transshipment will decrease for Aegean exporters, with large ships calling directly, transit times will be shorter and freight rates will become more competitive."
