Kocaeli Handles 72.5% of Turkey’s Vehicle Trade: Logistics Power Surge

Kocaeli emerges as the primary logistics hub steering the vast majority of Turkey’s vehicle exports and imports via sea routes in the first half of 2024.

Kocaeli’s Logistics Dominance

Data from the Directorate General of Maritime Affairs shows that Kocaeli not only serves as an automotive manufacturing base but also controls 72.5% (approximately 661,107 vehicles) of Turkey’s foreign‑linked maritime vehicle transport volume.

Share of Vehicle Transport Attributed to Kocaeli

■911,843 cars and other vehicles were handled across Turkish ports on overseas routes.

■661,107 of those passed through Kocaeli’s terminals.

■Kocaeli alone accounted for 72.5% of the total volume.

Port Performance at a Glance

■Safi Derince Port: 178,966 vehicles – the highest throughput.

■Autoport: 176,001 vehicles, with 132,406 destined for export.

■Port Yarımca: 133,802 vehicles, 99,495 of which were imports.

■Ford Otosan Yeniköy Pier: 84,110 vehicles, 83,839 export‑focused.

■Efesanport: 84,110 vehicles total.

New Ro‑Ro Routes and Strategic Shifts

■New regular Ro‑Ro services launched to Gioia Tauro (Italy) and Monfalcone (Italy), moving 527 and 413 vehicles respectively.

■Valencia (Spain) route handled 208 vehicles; Casablanca (Morocco) route moved 222 vehicles, all export‑oriented.

■The Koper and Anvers routes saw no activity during this period.

Global Competition and Forward Outlook

During the first half, Kocaeli’s ports welcomed 4,205 vessels, processed 42,176,756 tonnes of cargo, and recorded a container volume of 1,271,497 TEU. These figures cement the region’s status as Turkey’s leading hub for both vehicle logistics and general container shipping.

Kocaeli’s robust performance can compress freight costs for auto exporters while simultaneously influencing high‑frequency trading algorithms that react to shifts in FX and sovereign bond liquidity. The asymmetric rise in import‑export flows may spur short‑term TL/USD volatility and elevate rate‑cut expectations in euro‑ and dollar‑denominated swap markets. Investors may find fresh opportunities in logistics firms centered on Kocaeli and in port‑infrastructure equities, potentially boosting sector‑focused ETFs and dividend‑driven strategies.