Turkish port operator Yilport Holding has signed a 49-year concession agreement for the Port of Taranto in Italy.
The deal was signed on Tuesday with Port Network Authority of the Ionian Sea (PNAIS), the managing institution of the port, and is related to its multipurpose terminal.
This is the 22nd marine port in Yilport Holding’s portfolio, and its first terminal in Italy.
“We have a strong presence in the Mediterranean. We are in Malta and operate seven ports between Spain and Portugal. Being able to enter Italy and work here in Taranto is like filling in the missing piece of a puzzle that we are building globally,” Robert Yuksel Yildirim, Yilport Holding Chairman, said.
“Our intention is to create another success story in Taranto. From today until the end of this year, we will be fixing cranes to ramp up business, visiting potential customers, and promote the container terminal. The project also aims to cooperate with local operators to improve cargo and ro-ro traffic.”
Taranto Container Terminal is eligible to serve up to Post-Panamax sized container vessels with -16.5 meters draft.