Strong Interest from Foreign-Flagged Ships in Turkish Ports
The number of ships calling at Turkish ports rose to 62,656 in 2025, marking the highest level in the past seven years. Foreign-flagged vessels accounted for more than 40,000 of these calls.
Maritime traffic at Turkey’s ports has shown a steady upward trend in recent years. Data from the Directorate General of Maritime Affairs reveals that the post-pandemic recovery in sea trade has gained significant momentum.
During the years when COVID-19 disrupted global trade, the number of ships arriving at Turkish ports was 48,821 in 2020 and 51,199 in 2021. As the impact of the pandemic eased, the figure climbed to 58,052 in 2022.
Crossing the 60,000 Threshold
The upward trend continued in 2023, with ship calls surpassing the 60,000 mark to reach 60,195. In 2024, the figure was 60,594.
In 2025, Turkish ports recorded their highest traffic in recent years, with 62,656 ship calls, setting a seven-year peak.
Foreign-Flagged Ships Dominate
The 2025 data also highlights Turkey’s role in international maritime trade. Of the ships docking at Turkish ports, 21,907 carried the Turkish flag, while 40,749 sailed under foreign flags. This shows that foreign-flagged vessels made up a significant share of total traffic.
Activity in Ro-Ro Lines
Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) transport also continued to expand. In 2024, 706,387 vehicles were carried on international Ro-Ro routes, while in 2025 the number rose to 724,726.
Last year, 359,923 vehicles entered Turkey via international Ro-Ro services, while 364,803 vehicles were transported abroad. These figures indicate that foreign trade and logistics activity remain robust.
