Strong First-Quarter Performance from Mersin Port

Despite volatility in global trade, Mersin Port stood out among Turkish ports with its strong performance in the first quarter of 2026. According to official data, the port recorded growth above the national average in both cargo and container handling, once again highlighting its strategic role in maritime trade.

Positive Differentiation in Cargo Handling

Based on evaluations of data from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, a total of 137,213,188 tons of cargo was handled across Turkish ports during the first quarter of 2026. While Turkey experienced a slight overall decline during this period, Mersin Port maintained its upward trend with a handling volume of 10,180,949 tons.

With this performance, Mersin Port achieved 1.3% year-on-year growth and accounted for approximately 7.4% of Turkey’s total cargo movement during the first quarter.

Monthly Data Reflect a Stable Performance

Operational activity at Mersin Port showed a stable trend throughout the first quarter:

• January: 3,698,522 tons
• February: 3,243,146 tons
• March: 3,239,281 tons

During the same period, Taşucu Port handled 336,772 tons, 372,615 tons, and 394,405 tons of cargo respectively. These figures demonstrate that Mersin continues to serve as a strong logistics hub, maintaining balance in both domestic and international trade.

Strong Growth in Container Traffic

The most remarkable performance at Mersin Port during the first quarter was recorded in container handling. While Turkish ports handled a total of 3,363,416 TEUs in the first three months of 2026, Mersin Port alone processed 499,238 TEUs, representing a significant share of the total.

This figure corresponds to an approximately 11.2% increase compared to the same period last year.

As a result of this strong performance, Mersin Port handled nearly 14.8% of Turkey’s total container traffic, further reinforcing its position not only as a regional hub but also as a strategic container port at the national level.

A Strong Logistics Center for Turkey’s Maritime Trade

According to expert assessments, Mersin Port’s first-quarter performance is a clear indicator of its high capacity, stable operational structure, and effective role in foreign trade and transshipment traffic. The growing container volumes confirm that Mersin continues to function as a critical logistics hub for Mediterranean and hinterland trade, sustaining its strategic importance in Turkey’s maritime ecosystem.

Source: Dünya Gazetesi