Port of Çandarh project, designated to rank among World’s top 10 largest terminals, expected to admit first vessel in 2013. Turkey’s largest port project is planned as a build-operate-transfer business model, and ambitiously set out to become one of the 10 largest ports globally.
With a hefty budget over 400 million USD and planned build-operate-transfer business model, project draws international interest. The port is aimed to play a vital role in Turkish foreign trade as the government envisions over 500 billion USD worth exports at the 100th anniversary of Republic’s foundation in 2023. Although the project has been delayed due to the Ministry of Transport’s plans to apply for 600 million Euro worth EU loans concerning infrastructural investments off the coast, according to State Railway, Port and Airport Construction Administration (OLH) General Manager Mr. Ahmet Arslan the project will no longer hit any hurdles and the firstvessel is expected to be admitted in 2013.
Project to challenge
Piraeus Capable of admitting vessels over 200.000 dwt with 800 meter breakwater length and 40 meter draught, Çandarh is designed as a hub port for East Mediterranean and Aegean bas in, which has long been dominated by the Greek hub Piraeus. According to the officials, the project will be four times larger than its reigning Greek competitor. It is further understood from OLH that the port will have be built upon 8.000 hectares of land. Infrastructural irnprovement will reportedly accelerate following the tender.
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Source: Turkish Marine Post, May 2, 2011;