Bandirma, Turkey

Port Overview

Bandirma is a key port city located on the southern coast of the Sea of Marmara in Balıkesir Province, Turkey. Strategically positioned between Istanbul, İzmir, and Bursa, it serves as a major transport and logistics hub connecting the Aegean, Marmara, and Anatolian regions. Bandirma ranks among Turkey’s important regional ports, handling both cargo and passenger traffic. Its annual container throughput is approximately 350,000 TEU, supporting significant industrial and agricultural exports. The port’s location and multimodal connections enhance its strategic importance in Turkish maritime trade.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Bandirma Port features 20 docks with a total length of 2,973 meters and depths up to 12 meters. Key terminals handle bulk, general, container, liquid, and Ro-Ro cargo. Facilities include high-capacity mobile cranes (up to 100 tons), dock cranes, excavators, stackers, forklifts, loaders, and conveyor systems. The port is rail-connected and equipped for combined transport, but does not currently operate AGVs.

Container Terminals

Bandirma, Turkey’s container terminals feature approximately 20 berths with a total length of 2,973 meters and a maximum depth of 12 meters. The main container terminal has an annual capacity of 350,000 TEU. Operations utilize modern gantry and mobile cranes, but full automation is not implemented. The major operator is Çelebi Bandırma, handling container, bulk, liquid, and Ro-Ro cargo, with direct rail and highway connections for efficient multimodal logistics.

Port Services

Main Services at Bandirma Port

Container Operations: Modern container handling with gantry cranes, capacity of 300,000-500,000 TEU annually

Cargo Handling: Bulk cargo with pneumatic/mechanical systems, break-bulk, general cargo, and Ro-Ro services for vehicles

Ship Services: Pilotage, towage, mooring, bunker fuel supply, fresh water, ship repair and maintenance

Storage: Covered warehousing facilities up to 100,000 m², open storage yards, temperature-controlled options

Support Services: Customs clearance, free trade zone capabilities, rail and highway connections, 24/7 vessel traffic management

Global Connectivity

Bandirma, Turkey is a major port on the southern Sea of Marmara, directly connected by sea to Istanbul and Tekirdağ, and by rail and road to the Southern Marmara, Aegean, and Central Anatolia regions. It serves as a key gateway for bulk, general, and Ro-Ro cargo, with shipping routes linking Turkey’s industrial heartlands to European and Black Sea markets. The port’s multimodal connectivity supports efficient access to major domestic and international trade routes.

Port Statistics

Port of Bandirma, Turkey – Key Statistics (2025):

• TEU Throughput: Approximately 350,000 TEU annually
• World Ranking: Not in the global top 100 container ports
• Number of Berths: 20
• Port Area: Medium-sized, covering about 1.5 million m²
• Shipping Lines: Served by major Turkish and regional shipping lines, with regular connections to the Black Sea, Mediterranean, and Marmara regions

Bandirma is a versatile port handling containers, bulk, and general cargo, and is a key hub for rail-ferry operations in Turkey.