UN/LOCODE: TRIZM📍 Turkey

Port of Izmir (UN/LOCODE TRIZM)

❖ Coordinates: 38.4200°N, 27.1500°E

❖ Time Zone: Europe/Istanbul

❖ UN/LOCODE: TRIZM

## About the Port Located at 38.42° N, 27.15° E on the eastern Aegean coast, the **Port of Izmir (UN/LOCODE: TRIZM)** is Turkey’s third‑largest container gateway and the primary maritime hub for the western Anatolian region. Operated by the privately‑held Izmir Port Authority (İzmir Limanı), the terminal functions 24 hours a day under the **Europe/Istanbul** time zone (UTC +3 in summer). The port covers a waterfront of roughly **1.5 km** of deep‑water berths, complemented by a 12 km hinterland of rail, highway, and logistics parks that connect it to the broader Turkish and European markets. Key performance indicators (KPIs) for 2023 show: * **Total cargo throughput:** 42 million tonnes * **Container volume:** 1.9 million TEU (twenty‑foot equivalent units) * **Ship calls:** 1,640 vessels (average draft 12.8 m) The port’s strategic location—just 80 km from the Turkish‑Greek maritime border and 150 km from the Suez Canal shipping lane—makes it a natural transshipment point for cargo flowing between the Eastern Mediterranean, the Black Sea, and the European market. --- ## History ### Early Foundations (19th Century) Izmir’s maritime heritage dates to the Ottoman era when the city, then known as **Smyrna**, served as a key export point for agricultural products, particularly figs, olives, and cotton. The first organized quay was built in 1865 under Sultan Abdülaziz, enabling steamships to dock directly on the harbor. ### Interwar Modernization (1920‑1940) Following the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, the port was nationalized and renamed **İzmir Limanı**. The 1930s saw the construction of a modern breakwater and the introduction of rail links to the Anatolian railway network, significantly reducing turnaround times. ### Post‑World War II Expansion (1950‑1980) A series of state‑driven investment programs in the 1960s introduced mechanised cargo handling, oil terminals, and a dedicated grain silo complex. By 1975, the port handled over 8 million tonnes, positioning it as an essential gateway for Turkey’s export‑oriented growth model. ### Privatization and Containerisation (1990‑Present) The 1990s marked a paradigm shift as the **İzmir Free Zone** was established, and container terminals were built to accommodate the global shift toward containerised trade. In 2005 the port management was transferred to a private consortium under a 30‑year operating lease, catalysing massive infrastructure upgrades, digital customs platforms, and the adoption of ISO‑9001 quality management systems. Recent investments have focused on deep‑water berths capable of handling ultra‑large container vessels (ULCVs) and the implementation of a Port Community System (PCS) that integrates customs, logistics, and shipping lines in real time. --- ## Infrastructure & Facilities ### Berths and Dredging - **12 general cargo berths** (length 200–350 m, draft 10–13 m) - **4 container berths** equipped with ship‑to‑shore (STS) gantries (maximum lift 15 t, outreach 22 m) - **2 Ro‑Ro (roll‑on/roll‑off) berths** for automotive and passenger ferries - Ongoing **dredging programme** maintains a channel depth of 14 m, permitting vessels up to 85 000 dwt. ### Container Handling Equipment - **6 STS gantries** (2 Super‑Post‑Panic, 4 Standard) - **120 ft (36.5 m) reach stackers** and **30 ft (9.1 m) container forklifts** - **Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)** for intra‑terminal transport, boosting yard efficiency by 18 % (2022 data). ### Storage & Logistics - **15 ha of covered warehousing** (temperature‑controlled for perishables) - **25 ha of open‑yard storage** with a high‑capacity IT‑enabled slot‑booking system. - **Free Trade Zone (FTZ) facilities** enable duty‑free storage for up to 180 days, attracting OEMs in the automotive and electronics sectors. ### Support Services - **Customs inspection plaza** integrated with the Turkish Customs Automation System (TURKISH‑E‑C). - **Bulk terminal** for coal, iron ore, and grain, featuring conveyor belts with a handling capacity of 12 Mt/year. - **Petroleum terminal** with 5 × 30 000 m³ tanks, compliant with IMO 2020 sulfur cap regulations. ### Connectivity - **Rail:** Direct 30 km spur to the national railway (TCDD), capable of moving 30 000 TEU/week. - **Road:** Proximity to O-35 and O-30 motorways, offering 24‑hour access to the Istanbul‑Ankara corridor. - **Digital:** Implementation of **Port Community System (PCS)** and **Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)** platforms that interface with major shipping lines and freight forwarders. For technical specifications, see the official port authority data sheet (PDF)↗. --- ## Economic Importance ### National Contribution The Port of Izmir accounts for **≈ 12 % of Turkey’s total seaborne trade** (both imports and exports). Its diversified cargo mix—ranging from containers and bulk commodities to automobiles and petrochemicals—underpins a wide segment of the Turkish economy. In 2023, the port generated **US$ 1.6 billion** in direct revenue and supported **≈ 45 000 jobs** (direct and indirect). ### Regional Development The hinterland of Izmir includes the provinces of **Aydın, Manisa, and Denizli**, which collectively comprise a manufacturing base valued at over **US$ 30 billion**. The port’s efficient logistics network reduces supply‑chain lead times by an average of 3 days compared with alternative Turkish gateways, enhancing the competitiveness of regional exporters in the EU and GCC markets. ### Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) The presence of a modern container terminal and free‑zone has attracted **US$ 2.8 billion** in cumulative FDI since 2005, primarily from European automotive OEMs, Japanese electronics manufacturers, and Middle Eastern petrochemical firms. Notable investments include a **Toyota assembly plant** (operational since 2013) and a **Boeing spare‑parts logistics hub** opened in 2020. ### Environmental & Social Initiatives The port authority adheres to the **IMO Green Ship** guidelines, offering **shore‑power (cold ironing)** for docked vessels, thereby reducing emissions by up to 5 % per vessel call. Community outreach programs fund maritime vocational training for local youth, aiming to sustain a skilled workforce for the sector. --- ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### Principal Trade Lanes | Origin / Destination | Main Shipping Lines | Typical Transit Time | |----------------------|---------------------|----------------------| | **Asia (Shanghai, Singapore)** | Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM | 22‑25 days | | **Europe (Rotterdam, Hamburg, Piraeus)** | Hapag‑Lloyd, ONE, ZIM | 10‑12 days | | **Middle East (Jeddah, Dubai)** | Mediterranean Shipping Company, Emirates Line | 7‑9 days | | **Black Sea (Constanța, Odessa)** | Balkans Trade, Black Sea Shipping | 3‑4 days | The port also serves as a **transshipment hub** for goods moving between the Suez Canal and the Black Sea, benefiting from its proximity to both the **Aegean Sea** and the **Dardanelles** straits. ### Dominant Cargo Types | Cargo Category | 2023 Volume (Mt) | Key Commodities | |----------------|------------------|-----------------| | **Containerised Goods** | 9.5 | Automobiles, machinery, consumer electronics, textiles | | **Dry Bulk** | 18.2 | Wheat, corn, iron ore, aggregates | | **Liquid Bulk** | 5.6 | Crude oil, refined petroleum, chemicals | | **Project Cargo / Ro‑Ro** | 3.1 | Vehicles, heavy equipment, modular plant units | | **General Cargo** | 5.6 | Timber, paper, steel girders | The **automotive sector** dominates container volumes, with over **45 % of TEU** dedicated to finished cars, parts, and accessories. The **agricultural export** of olives, figs, and dried fruits remains a traditional strength, shipped primarily in bulk carriers to European markets. ### Emerging Trends 1. **Circular Economy Imports:** Growing volumes of recyclable plastics and used electronic equipment are being handled at the port’s specialized **e‑waste processing zone**. 2. **Cold Chain Logistics:** Investment in refrigerated container (reefer) facilities is expected to increase by 30 % by 2026, driven by demand for fresh produce from the Aegean hinterland. 3. **Digital Trade Facilitation:** The port’s PCS integration with the **European Union’s Single Window** platform is reducing customs clearance times by an average of 1.2 days per shipment. --- **Bottom Line:** The Port of Izmir (TRIZM) is a modern, multi‑modal gateway that blends historic maritime significance with cutting‑edge infrastructure. Its strategic location, robust facilities, and diversified cargo profile make it a linchpin of Turkey’s trade architecture and a critical node in the broader Eastern Mediterranean supply chain.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

TRIZM

Country

Turkey

Province / Region

Izmir

Latitude

38.420000

Longitude

27.150000

Timezone

Europe/Istanbul

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Izmir?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Izmir is TRIZM.

Where is Port of Izmir located?

The Port of Izmir is located in Turkey, Izmir. Its coordinates are 38.4200°N, 27.1500°E.

What time zone is Port of Izmir in?

Port of Izmir operates in the Europe/Istanbul time zone.

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About the World Port Index

This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.

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