The Maritime Affairs General Directorate announced that 34,783 ships called at Türkiye's ports during the first seven months of the year, with foreign-flagged vessels accounting for nearly two-thirds of total traffic as regional conflicts disrupt alternative routes.
A total of 22,071 ships flew foreign flags while 12,712 carried the national flag, according to data released by the directorate. The surge reflects a strategic shift in global shipping patterns, with operators avoiding the Strait of Hormuz and Black Sea corridors affected by the US-Israel-Iran war and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Leading port hubs
The northwestern province of Kocaeli emerged as the country's busiest maritime gateway, handling 4,963 vessels between January and July — 3,433 foreign-flagged and 1,530 flying the national flag. The Aegean port of Aliaga ranked second with 3,479 total calls, comprising 2,327 foreign vessels and 1,152 domestic craft. Iskenderun in the south welcomed 2,335 ships, while the northwestern Armanli facility and the Mediterranean hub of Mersin recorded 2,333 and 2,138 vessel calls respectively.
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