Turkey-based operator Yilport Holding continues to expand its port and terminal portfolio taking over the operations at the Port of Šibenik in Croatia.
With this latest move, the portfolio of Yilport reached 24 terminals across 12 countries.
The takeover is part of YILDIRIM Group’s - Yilport's parent company - acquisition of Petrokemija d.d., the largest fertiliser plant in Croatia. The port used to operate as the main fertiliser handling port in the country. In addition to fertilisers, wood products and aluminum are the most handled products at the port.
Yilport Holding has unveiled plans to turn the Port of Šibenik into a multi-purpose terminal, offering diversified services.
In the first phase, the operator said it will rehabilitate the quality, productivity, and efficiency of existing operations, install one more mobile harbor crane, and increase storage capacity at the terminal.
According to a statement, the terminal will be dredged from -10 meters to -13 meters of draft to allow access for larger vessels up to panamax size. Additionally, Yilport aims to install a third mobile harbor crane after container operations start at the terminal.
The second phase of the proposed business plan includes startup investments for Ro-Ro and liquid cargo services, with Yilport Holding wanting to invest around €50 million (US$53 million) in three phases to develop a productive and efficient multi-purpose terminal.
The Port of Šibenik is located 350 kilometers from Zagreb, and three kilometers away from the highway connecting Zagreb to the Adriatic Sea. The terminal has a direct railway connection to the capital of Croatia, while the port currently serves Croatian and Bosnian bulk cargo and general cargo customers by rail and road network connections.
The port currently has three berths at -10 meters quay depth, and handles general cargo ships up to 50,000 tons. At the same time, it offers warehouses with conveyor systems, and handles 2,000 TEU container vessels.
