Hapag-Lloyd to Double Its Operations in Turkey

German shipping major Hapag-Lloyd expects to increase its presence in the Turkish market after it finalizes the integration of the Dubai-based United Arab Shipping Company (UASC).

Hapag-Lloyd Turkey, which has grown from being a minor player to the third biggest carrier in the Turkish market within a few years, expects to more than double the size of its Turkish operations from about 230,000 TEU yearly to almost 500,000 TEU.

This development recently peaked with the first ever call of a 13,200 TEU Hamburg Express-class vessel, the Leverkusen Express at the Istanbul Kumport terminal.

With more than 5,500 moves at Kumport terminal, the vessel, which operates in the new THE Alliance MD3 service, has set the record for the highest move-count to date at the terminal, according to Hapag-Lloyd.

“The arrival of the Leverkusen Express is an important milestone for Area Turkey. The new THE Alliance service MD3 service provides us with many opportunities, since it connects Piraeus, Istanbul, Aliağa and Mersin directly with Asia. Istanbul is the main port in the Turkish rotation, especially discharging Far East Westbound cargo,” Danny Smolders, Area Manager, said.

“With the capacity of the Hamburg Express class vessels and our considerable growth we’re clearly up for some nice challenges here in Turkey, however, we’re ready and look forward to taking them on,” Smolders added.