Azerbaijan’s state energy company SOCAR and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to strengthen operations at SOCAR Terminal in Aliağa, İzmir. Under the agreement, MSC’s terminal subsidiary, Terminal Investment Limited (TiL), will become a shareholder in SOCAR Terminal, enhancing its integration into global shipping networks.
Strengthening Regional and Global Connectivity
SOCAR Terminal is currently the largest container port in the Aegean region, featuring a 700-meter uninterrupted quay, 16-meter depth, 420,000 m² port yard, and 30,000 m² back-of-port area. The new partnership with TiL is expected to integrate the terminal into MSC’s global network, significantly reducing vessel waiting times and enabling the simultaneous handling of multiple mainline vessels. This will not only increase Türkiye’s competitiveness but also reinforce its role in international supply chains.
Focus on Investment, Technology, and Sustainability
SOCAR emphasized that the agreement goes beyond ownership, aiming to upgrade the terminal with new equipment, advanced technology, and digital solutions. Future plans include capacity expansion, enhanced operational efficiency, and infrastructure upgrades.
Sustainability is also a key focus, with both companies working to adopt greener practices in line with global maritime decarbonization efforts. SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf highlighted the terminal as a “world-class, groundbreaking, and strategic investment” that will benefit all stakeholders and customers.
The SOCAR–MSC partnership marks a significant milestone in the development of Türkiye’s maritime infrastructure. By combining SOCAR’s regional leadership with MSC’s global reach through TiL, SOCAR Terminal is set to emerge as a major logistics hub, driving efficiency, connectivity, and sustainable growth in the Aegean and beyond.
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Source: Port News
