UN/LOCODE: TRYAR📍 Turkey
Port of Yarimca (UN/LOCODE TRYAR)
❖ Coordinates: 40.7716°N, 29.7272°E
❖ Time Zone: Europe/Istanbul
❖ UN/LOCODE: TRYAR
## About the Port
Yarimca Port (UN/LOCODE: **TRYAR**) lies on the eastern shore of the Sea of Marmara, within the industrial belt of Kocaeli Province, Turkey. Positioned at **40.771592 °N, 29.727171 °E**, the port operates on *Europe/Istanbul* time (UTC +3). Its strategic placement, midway between Istanbul and the Black Sea gateway of Trabzon, gives Yarimca a natural advantage for trans‑Mediterranean and intra‑Anatolian cargo flows.
The port is managed by the **Kocaeli Free Zone Authority (KFA)** and falls under the regulatory oversight of the Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. With a **draft of 12 m** and **24 ha** of usable waterfront, Yarimca can accommodate Panamax‑size vessels and a growing fleet of feeder ships. The facility serves as a multimodal hub, linking maritime, rail, and highway networks that connect the **Marmara Region’s 13 million‑strong labor market** to European and Asian supply chains.
> **Key identifiers**
> - **UN/LOCODE:** TRYAR
> - **Port Authority:** Kocaeli Free Zone Authority
> - **Operative Timezone:** Europe/Istanbul (UTC +3)
> - **Coordinates:** 40.771592 N, 29.727171 E
For official statistics and compliance data, see the UN/LOCODE directory [UN/LOCODE↗].
---
## History
### Early Development (1970‑1990)
Yarimca’s origins trace back to a 1972 government decree aimed at expanding Turkey’s maritime infrastructure to support its burgeoning heavy‑industry sector. Initial construction focused on a single **general cargo berth** (6 m depth) and modest storage yards, primarily serving the nearby steel mills and petrochemical complexes that emerged after the 1970s oil crisis.
### Expansion Era (1990‑2010)
In the early 1990s, Turkey’s accession talks with the European Union spurred investment in port modernization. Yarimca underwent a **Phase I upgrade**, adding two **container berths** with gantry cranes, a **Ro‑Ro terminal**, and dedicated **dry bulk facilities**. This period also introduced rail sidings linked to the national rail network (TCDD), enabling direct hinterland connections to Ankara, Istanbul, and the Balkan rail corridor.
### Recent Consolidation (2010‑Present)
The last decade has seen targeted **Phase II** developments: deepening the main channel to 12 m, installing an **Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) system** for container handling, and constructing a **green logistics zone** that adheres to the EU’s Sustainable Port Initiative. The port’s cargo throughput rose from **2.3 Mt (2010)** to **4.8 Mt (2023)**, reflecting its expanding role in regional trade.
---
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Waterway
| Berth Type | Length (m) | Draft (m) | Typical Vessel |
|------------|------------|----------|----------------|
| General Cargo | 250 | 12 | Handymax |
| Container | 320 | 12 | Panamax |
| Ro‑Ro | 180 | 10 | RORO ferries |
| Bulk (coal/ore) | 210 | 11 | Bulk carriers |
The **approach channel** stretches 5 km, equipped with **four‑point navigation buoys** and **differential GPS (DGPS)** for safe transit under all weather conditions.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
- **2× Super‑Post Panamax gantry cranes** (45 t lift capacity)
- **4× Mobile Harbour Cranes** (30 t) for project cargo
- **12× Reach Stackers** and **8× Forklifts** for container yards
- **Automated Terminal Operating System (TOS)** integrated with the Turkish Port Community System
### Storage & Logistics
- **Container Yard:** 150,000 TEU capacity, with 30 % pre‑stowed for quick turnaround.
- **Dry Bulk Silo:** 600,000 t capacity, equipped with dust‑control systems.
- **Liquid Bulk Tanks:** 250,000 m³ of combined oil and chemical storage, meeting IMO MARPOL standards.
- **Vehicle Parking:** 5,000 m² dedicated to automotive components and finished cars, supporting Kocaeli’s automotive cluster.
### Intermodal Connectivity
- **Rail:** Direct 1,200 m of siding linked to the Istanbul–Ankara mainline (TCDD).
- **Road:** Adjacent to **E-5 (O‑4) highway**, enabling 24‑hour truck movements.
- **Free‑Zone Proximity:** Immediate access to the **Kocaeli Free Zone**, providing customs‑exempt warehousing and value‑added services.
---
## Economic Importance
Yarimca Port is a pivotal node in Turkey’s **industrial heartland**, directly servicing more than **150** domestic manufacturers, including **automotive OEMs, steel producers, and petrochemical refineries**. Its contribution to the regional GDP accounts for **approximately 4.5 %** of Kocaeli’s output, translating into **over 12,000 jobs** in logistics, stevedoring, and ancillary services.
### Trade‑Driven Growth
- **Export Value (2023):** USD 4.3 bn, primarily in **automotive parts, steel billets, and refined petroleum products**.
- **Import Value (2023):** USD 2.7 bn, dominated by **raw aluminium, timber, and agricultural commodities**.
The port’s **free‑zone status** offers **tax incentives, reduced customs clearance times**, and **one‑stop regulatory services**, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) from Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia. The resulting **logistics cluster** has spurred the development of ancillary services such as ship‑repair yards, marine insurance brokers, and maritime training institutes.
For a broader overview of Turkey’s maritime policy, the Ministry of Transport’s portal provides extensive data on port performance [Turkish Ministry of Transport↗].
---
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Shipping Lanes
1. **Mediterranean Corridor:** Direct liner services to **Piraeus (Greece), Genoa (Italy), and Marseille (France)**, facilitating the Europe‑Middle East trade axis.
2. **Black Sea Loop:** Regular feeder vessels connect Yarimca to **Novorossiysk, Constanța, and Odesa**, supporting grain and timber flows.
3. **Turkey‑East Mediterranean:** Short‑sea routes to **Mersin, Iskenderun**, and the **Suez Canal**, enabling trans‑Eurasian cargo via the **Northern Corridor**.
### Major Cargo Types
| Cargo Category | Volume (2023) | Main Origin/Destination |
|----------------|---------------|--------------------------|
| **Containers (TEU)** | 1.2 Mt (≈ 8,300 TEU) | Europe (Germany, Netherlands) – Export; East Asia (China, South Korea) – Import |
| **Automotive Parts** | 1.0 Mt | Export to EU; Import from Japan & Korea |
| **Steel & Metallurgical Products** | 0.9 Mt | Export to Middle East; Import of raw iron ore from Brazil |
| **Petrochemicals** | 0.7 Mt | Import of crude oil from Middle East; Export of polypropylene to EU |
| **Dry Bulk (Grain, Coal)** | 0.6 Mt | Import of grain from Black Sea; Export of coal to Balkan countries |
| **Project Cargo** | 0.3 Mt | Heavy equipment for regional infrastructure projects |
### Emerging Trends
- **Containerization growth:** With the rise of e‑commerce, the **container segment** has seen a **15 % CAGR** since 2018.
- **Green logistics:** Yarimca is piloting **electrified shore power** for berthed vessels, aligning with EU **IMO 2025** emission reduction targets.
- **Digitalization:** Implementation of **blockchain‑based bill of lading** platforms reduces paperwork and accelerates customs clearance.
---
**Conclusion**
Yarimca Port (TRYAR) stands as a modern, multimodal gateway that blends Turkey’s historic industrial base with cutting‑edge maritime technology. Its deep‑draft berths, extensive cargo handling infrastructure, and seamless intermodal links underpin a robust economic engine for Kocaeli and the wider Marmara Region. As global supply chains pivot toward sustainability and digitalization, Yarimca’s ongoing investments in green port initiatives and smart logistics are set to reinforce its status as a strategic hub on the maritime map of the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea corridors.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
TRYAR
Country
Turkey
Province / Region
Kocaeli
Latitude
40.771592
Longitude
29.727171
Timezone
Europe/Istanbul
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
Loading Map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Yarimca?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Yarimca is TRYAR.
Where is Port of Yarimca located?
The Port of Yarimca is located in Turkey, Kocaeli. Its coordinates are 40.7716°N, 29.7272°E.
What time zone is Port of Yarimca in?
Port of Yarimca operates in the Europe/Istanbul time zone.
Scanning Local Infrastructure...
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.
📍 Nearby Ports
Other maritime facilities geographically close to Yarimca.
Evyap Port /Kocaeli
Turkey • 2 km awayHereke
Turkey • 9 km awayIzmit
Turkey • 19 km awayGebze
Turkey • 26 km away