ERKPORT — 2024-12-16
Members Corner
Erkport, a key player in sea transport and port services in Izmir since 2013, has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Yantai Port Group, marking the beginning of a new era in maritime transport from China to Istanbul. Under the “Two Ports One Route” Agreement, finished vehicle logistics, construction machinery, project cargo, and Ro-Ro transportation will be facilitated between China’s Yantai Port and Haydarpaşa Port.
By transforming Haydarpaşa Port into a transhipment hub, the “Two Ports One Route” project will make a significant contribution to Turkish ports and regional Mediterranean and Black Sea ports. Istanbul is set to become a major logistics hub, linking Europe, Africa, and the Far East. Through this project, 100,000 finished vehicles will be transported annually via Yantai Port, the primary transhipment hub for ports in Korea, Japan, and Australia, under the Erkport signature. The project will also facilitate the transportation of construction machinery and commercial vehicles to developing markets. The project aims to boost automotive exports and streamline the supply of raw materials for businesses.
Istanbul Now Plays a Bridge Role Between Europe and the Far East
Erkport Port Services Chairman Tolga Emrah Gezgin met with Song Junji, Deputy Governor of Shandong Province, Jiang Kai, General Manager of Yantai Port Group, and Erkport representatives in China. “We bring loads and containers from Japan and Korea through Yantai Port to Haydarpaşa Port, from where we transport them to the entire Black Sea region, North Africa, and Eastern Mediterranean ports. Via feeder ships, we also provide transportation services from Haydarpaşa Port to Romania and the Georgian port city of Poti. With the ‘Two Ports One Route’ project, Istanbul has evolved from being a bridge between Asia and Europe to also serving as a vital link between Europe and the Far East. Economic ties between China and Turkey are growing stronger, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this progress. China views Turkey as a key hub for production, and this move represents a significant step in strengthening the logistics infrastructure between the two countries. As Erkport, we are proud to play a key role in driving this initiative forward. We provide speed advantages for our customers by utilizing the Suez Canal and are among the few carriers operating across the Red Sea. This, of course, translates to cost savings and faster service for our customers,” Gezgin stated.
The Turkish Market Becomes More Attractive for Chinese Investors
Jiang Kai, General Manager of Yantai Port Group, noted that Turkey is a major importing country, and its logistics infrastructure is increasingly attracting the attention of new Chinese investors. Kai said, “As our ties with Turkey continue to grow, this partnership marks a crucial milestone for us. The initiation of regular liner services between China and Turkey and the strengthening of logistics infrastructure will further strengthen our commercial ties, contributing to the growth of both economies and making the Turkish market more attractive to Chinese investors. Streamlining and accelerating transit transport processes will help increase global trade volumes.”
About Erkport:
Established in 2013, Erkport has been a success story since its inception, leveraging its deep industry experience and expert operational strength. Erkport operates in five main areas: port operations and management, logistics operations, bonded and free warehouse management, finished vehicle logistics, and Ro-Ro services. Erkport is a leading company in vehicle logistics operations. With a high transportation capacity and an increasing fleet of ships—currently 18 ships—Erkport handles vehicle transport on 8 regular lines, with a floating capacity of 16,000 vehicles at any given time, covering Europe, North America, North Africa, the Middle East, and the Far East. Erkport plays a key role in the entry of an average of 90,000 vehicles into the market each month. With over 500 employees, 500,000 tons of storage capacity, and 25 million tons of cargo handling capacity, Erkport continues to achieve success with its deep experience and expertise in the sector. Erkport also provides Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) services at its ports, ensuring the final checks and preparation of vehicles for delivery. Continuing to enhance its services with innovative and flexible applications, Erkport strengthens its technological infrastructure in offices across regions such as Izmir, Iskenderun, and Istanbul, particularly supporting employment in port areas. Erkport continues to successfully meet its customers' needs with transparency and reliability in operations, achieving many successes with pride.
For more information:
Melike Balıkçı - Director of Customer Relations / PR House Communication and Consulting
/ melike@prhouse.com.tr
Hande Uzun - Content and Media Relations Manager / PR House Communication and Consulting / hande@prhouse.com.tr