Turkey's competition board allows ports' privatization

According to the decision, the Turkey’s Competition Board and Privatization Administration Board allowed the winning bidders to take over the operational rights of the Samsun (Black Sea) and Bandirma (Marmara Sea) ports when the tenders are finalized.

Turkey's Celebi Joint Venture Group (OGG) won the right to operate Bandirma Port offering the highest bid -- $175.5 million in May. The OGG will maintain the right, belonging up to now to the Turkish State Railroad Administration, for 36 years.

Bandirma Port is located on the southern shores of the Marmara Sea, about 101 kilometers (63 miles) from Istanbul and is a hub for bulk freight traffic in the region. The port has modern infrastructure with links to the country’s main railway and highway system. The port has a grain-storage of 34,000 tons of capacity.

Another Turkish company, Ceynak, a logistics company, also had won the tender to assume the operation rights of Samsun Port on Turkey's Black Sea coast.

The company had offered $125.2 million for the 36-year operational rights for Samsun port, which had also been held by the Turkish State Railways.

 Photo: Hurriyet Archives