The new player in maritime trade, IC Karasu Port is now open for service
The completed, first phase of IC Karasu Port which was built by IC İçtaş İnşaat with a 76 million Dollar investment, has an annual 1,8 million ton general cargo / bulk cargo and 65 thousand TEU container (including Ro-Ro) load capacity.
The Black Sea port of Istanbul and Marmara Region, IC Karasu Port was opened with a ceremony on 16 March, Thursday. IC Karasu Port will make a significant contribution to the trade with the countries on the shores of the Black Sea with its close proximity to the flagship of the Turkish economy, Marmara Region. The port will also serve as an important alternative for imports and exports in Sakarya.
Stating that IC Karasu Port is a world class port in terms of the wide hinterland it serves, its capacity, and its multimode transportation advantages, IC İçtaş Infrastructure Group Manager Murat Soğancıoğlu said: "The growing trade and production in our country meant that a new port was necessary. Since the end of 2015, approximately 87.7% of the trade in Turkey, was realised through seaways and ports. We feel great pleasure for completing and opening Karasu Port. Now, Istanbul and Marmara Region has a port in the Black Sea."
Noting that the completed, first phase of Karasu Port has 1.8 million ton general cargo / bulk cargo and 65 thousand TEU container (including Ro-Ro) load capacity, Soğancıoğlu added the following: "We estimate that this capacity will be used at 100% by the end of its third year. With the connection of the railroad, we will finalise our investment for the second phase, achieving an even greater capacity. With the second phase, we aim to create 5 million ton capacity for general cargo / bulk cargo, 150 thousand ton capacity for container load, 110 thousand unit capacity including semis, cars and other vehicles, for Ro-Ro services.
A 76 million dollar investment
Underlining the fact that Karasu Port was built with a 76 million dollar investment and without a state guarantee, Soğancıoğlu said: "We provided employment for 400 and revitalised the construction industry in the region. We will directly and indirectly provide employment for about another 500 once the operation phase starts."
Figures and IC Karasu Port
The completed, first phase ıf IC Karası Port which will be offering general cargo, container, Ro-Ro, Ro-Pax and train ferry loading services, has an annual 1.8 million ton general cargo / bulk cargo and 65 thousand TEU container (including Ro-Ro) load capacity.
With the second phase that will be completed with railroad connection, the target is 5 million ton capacity for general cargo / bulk cargo, 150 thousand ton capacity for container loads, 110 thousand unit capacity including semis, cars and other vehicles for Ro-Ro services.
The port which will cover an area of 621,000 m² with the completion of the second phase, will be serving 30,000 DWT ships with 1,600 metre main breakwater, 625 meter auxiliary breakwater, -11 meter draft and a total 1,100 meter berth.
Covering an Area from Düzce to Muğla
IC Karasu Port bears an importance for the industrial areas in Karabük, Çankırı, Bilecik, Eskişehir, Ankara, Kırıkkale, Yozgat, and specifically for Sakarya, Kocaeli, Istanbul Düzce, Bolu, Zonguldak, and, as for fruit and vegetable exportation, for Antalya, Manisa, Muğla and Çanakkale.