Mersin port pioneers yard automation
Mersin International Port (MIP) has begun operating Turkey’s first fully integrated yard automation system, a move that marks a significant technological shift for the country’s port sector and underlines Mersin’s growing role in regional and global trade.
The system has been deployed as part of the East Med Hub 2 (EMH2) expansion project, the first phase of which is now complete and in service. The investment introduces four ship-to-shore (STS) quay cranes and 14 fully automated rail-mounted gantry cranes, all integrated with the terminal’s operating system.
“This investment sets a new benchmark for Turkey’s logistics sector,” said general manager Ajay Kumar Singh. “The introduction of yard automation underscores our commitment to operational excellence, enabling us to deliver world-class efficiency and advance our sustainability goals.”
MIP, a joint venture between PSA International, IFM Investors and Akfen Holding, says the automated yard is designed to respond to rising cargo volumes while improving safety, speed and reliability. The 14 fully electric aRMG cranes operate autonomously, with the option of remote control from office-based workstations, replacing traditional cabin-based operations.
The EMH2 development will lift MIP’s annual container handling capacity from 2.6m teu to 3.6m teu. The newly installed STS cranes, standing 97 metres tall with a 71-metre outreach, allow the port to handle two mega container vessels simultaneously, strengthening its competitiveness on east–west trade routes.
When fully completed, yard productivity is expected to double by June 2026. MIP says the fully electric, low-noise system will also reduce emissions, supporting its ambition to become the leading logistics hub in the eastern Mediterranean.
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