Acquisitions a priority for Turkish operator

Yilport Holding’s growth ambition has been announced by Robert Yuksel Yildirim, the founder and chairman of Yilport Holding, and newly appointed CEO. He said the company has revised its growth strategy and five-year business plan for 2020-2025 as part of its aim to be a top 10 international container terminal operator by 2025.

Following terminal equipment investment, from 2021, Yilport will turn its attention to acquisitions. “In addition to organic growth, Yilport will continue its second round of acquisitions, especially pursuing gateway terminals in emerging markets. We will try to acquire one or two ports per year in line with our typical growth strategy,” Mr Yildirim said.

In the mid-term, Yilport plans to secure financial backing support its acquisition strategy,

“Yilport Holding will continue to look for investments in Europe, North America, Latin America and Africa, that offer potential growth,” Mr Yildirim said.

Current activity

Yilport is currently preparing for operations in two container terminals this year; Taranto Container Terminal in Italy, and Gulfport Terminal in Mississippi, US.

Mr Yildirim elaborated: “We plan to revamp Taranto Container Terminal, and bring annual capacity up to 1.5 million TEU. At Gulfport, we committed to reach 600,000 TEU annual throughput in 2 years with immediate investments, after taking over the terminal in the second half of 2020.”