History
Early and Ottoman era development
The port at Tekirdag has long served as the maritime outlet for Eastern Thrace, before its relative decline following the rise of Alexandroupolis as a railway terminus on the Maritsa River in 1896. [4]
Local authorities sought to expand and modernize the port to integrate it into Ottoman imperial trade networks, enhancing the port’s capacity and status, aiming to make it one of the busiest ports in Rumelia and the Balkans. [5] During the Tanzimat, improvements to piers, quay structures, and harbor works were proposed to support growing commercial traffic. [5]
Republican period and mid-20th century
As the Republic of Turkey was established and the economy modernized, the port continued to play a role in regional maritime commerce. However, its importance was challenged by competing ports and rail connections. The port went into decline when Alexandroupolis became the railway terminus for river traffic in the Maritsa basin. [4]
During the Armistice and National Struggle (1918–1923), the port remained a transit and logistical hub for trade and military transport under challenging political conditions. [6]
Late 20th century: organizational changes and privatization
From 1973 until October 1984, Tekirdag functioned as a branch under the Istanbul Port Authority. [7] Under the name TDİ Tekirdağ Port, the facility remained under state oversight until the privatization wave of the 1990s. In 1997 the port was privatized for a 30-year operating rights concession, awarded to Akport Tekirdağ Liman İşletmeleri A.Ş. [7] The agreement was terminated by the Privatization High Council in 2012, returning control to Turkish Maritime Enterprises. [7]
In 2013, the company Ceynak began operating port services under a contract with TDİ, [8] and in 2018, Ceynak won the formal privatization tender, rebranding the port as Ceyport Tekirdağ Uluslararası Liman İşletmeciliği A.Ş. [7]
Since December 2018, the port has been operated by Ceyport Tekirdağ. [7] The port was privatised in 2019, [9] with Ceyport Tekirdag being the new operating company. The European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) provided a US$ 17,500,000 loan, which was matched by a Turkish bank loan. [10]
Recent developments and modernization
Under Ceyport’s management, the port has emphasized intermodal connectivity and infrastructure upgrades. The operator describes it as the largest intermodal port in the Marmara Region, with a rail connection serving a broad hinterland. [11]
The port operates multiple cranes (up to 100 ton capacity) along with reach stackers and rail access. It also serves wagon traffic through the Tekirdağ–Derince train ferry link. [12]
Cargo facilities
The total port area is 261,542 m2 with 20 enclosed warehouses (24,601 m2), six silos (30,000 t capacity), and liquid tank storage of 69,750 m3. The quay length is about 2,930 m. [13]
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