Port of Haydarpaşa - Istanbul
The Port of Haydarpaşa is a historic seaport on the Asian side of Istanbul, Türkiye, located near the southern entrance of the Bosphorus and close to Haydarpaşa railway station. The port has traditionally served as a container, RoRo, general cargo, and dry bulk facility for Istanbul and the surrounding Marmara region.
Haydarpaşa is especially relevant for cargo connected to Istanbul, the Marmara region, northwestern Türkiye, industrial zones around Kocaeli and Gebze, regional distribution, machinery, consumer goods, construction materials, food products, industrial cargo, RoRo cargo, and general commercial freight. It is operated by Turkish State Railways, also known as TCDD.
The port’s UN/LOCODE is TRHAY. Shippers should confirm the exact operational status, terminal availability, carrier service, customs office, inland routing, and booking details before arranging cargo, as many Istanbul and Marmara container flows may also move through larger regional gateways such as Ambarlı, Kumport, Marport, Gemlik, Yalova, or Kocaeli depending on carrier schedule and cargo destination.
Port of Haydarpaşa Overview
| Port Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Port name | Port of Haydarpaşa |
| Country | Türkiye |
| Province / city | Istanbul / Haydarpaşa |
| Region | Marmara Sea / Bosphorus / Istanbul |
| UN/LOCODE | TRHAY |
| Port type | Seaport / general cargo port / container facility / RoRo facility / urban port |
| Main port organization | Turkish State Railways, TCDD |
| Main terminal areas | Container areas, RoRo areas, general cargo berths, dry bulk areas, storage yards, customs facilities, rail-linked logistics areas |
| Main cargo focus | Containers, general cargo, RoRo cargo, machinery, construction materials, consumer goods, industrial cargo, dry bulk, food products |
| Main terminal types | Container terminal areas, general cargo berths, RoRo facilities, dry bulk facilities, storage yards, warehousing and logistics areas |
| Cargo types | Containers, pallets, cartons, machinery, food products, construction materials, industrial goods, vehicles, RoRo cargo, dry bulk, consumer goods, general freight |
| Suitable for | Importers, exporters, manufacturers, retailers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, distributors, Istanbul and Marmara region supply chains |
Why Ship Through the Port of Haydarpaşa?
Haydarpaşa is strategically located on the Asian side of Istanbul, giving shippers access to one of Türkiye’s largest commercial, industrial, and consumer markets. Its location near the Bosphorus and Marmara Sea makes it useful for cargo connected to Istanbul, Anatolian-side distribution, Marmara industrial zones, domestic transport networks, and regional trade.
For importers, Haydarpaşa can provide access to Istanbul’s customs network, warehousing, trucking, distribution centers, rail-linked logistics, retail supply chains, and industrial users on the Asian side of the city. For exporters, the port can support cargo moving from Istanbul, Kocaeli, Gebze, Sakarya, Bursa, Eskişehir, Ankara, and surrounding production areas into regional and international shipping networks where service is available.
Haydarpaşa is especially relevant for businesses that need access to:
- Istanbul import and export flows
- Asian-side Istanbul distribution
- Marmara region industrial cargo
- General cargo and RoRo handling
- Machinery, construction, and industrial freight
- Consumer goods, retail cargo, and commercial shipments
- Cargo connected to Kocaeli, Gebze, Bursa, Sakarya, and Ankara
- Customs and inland transport links in Istanbul
- Regional routing through the Marmara Sea and Turkish port network
Container Shipping Through Haydarpaşa
The Port of Haydarpaşa has historically handled containerized freight, general cargo, RoRo cargo, and bulk cargo. For modern container shipping, shippers should confirm whether the requested carrier service, terminal capacity, equipment availability, and cargo acceptance are available at Haydarpaşa for the specific shipment.
Businesses may use Haydarpaşa for:
- Import containers into Istanbul and the Marmara region
- Export containers from Istanbul and nearby industrial zones
- Full container load shipments where service is available
- Less than container load shipments where consolidation routes are available
- Retail and consumer goods cargo
- Machinery, spare parts, components, tools, and equipment
- Construction materials and building products
- Food products and beverages
- Chemicals, plastics, resins, and industrial materials where permitted
- Textiles, apparel, furniture, and household goods
- RoRo and vehicle-related cargo where terminal service is available
- General commercial freight moving to or from Istanbul, Gebze, Kocaeli, Sakarya, Bursa, Ankara, Eskişehir, and other inland areas
- Shipments connected to Ambarlı, Kumport, Marport, Gemlik, Yalova, Kocaeli, İzmir, Mersin, Piraeus, Constanța, Varna, Odessa, Port Said, Jeddah, Jebel Ali, Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Hamburg, Valencia, Algeciras, Singapore, Port Klang, Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Qingdao, Busan, New York/New Jersey, Savannah, Houston, Los Angeles, and Long Beach depending on carrier routing
For larger shipments, FCL shipping is usually suitable when cargo can fill a 20ft or 40ft container. For smaller shipments, LCL shipping allows businesses to move partial container loads without paying for a full container.
Haydarpaşa Freight Rates
Freight Shipping Cost from & to Haydarpaşa for a 20-foot Container
Port Capacity and Terminal Infrastructure
The Port of Haydarpaşa includes berths, piers, container handling areas, RoRo areas, general cargo facilities, dry bulk handling, storage yards, customs access, rail-related infrastructure, trucking access, and cargo handling equipment. The port has historically handled container ships, RoRo vessels, general cargo ships, dry bulk cargo, and railway-linked cargo movements.
Because Haydarpaşa is located in a dense urban area of Istanbul, shippers should verify terminal capacity, access rules, truck routing, operating restrictions, carrier calls, and current cargo acceptance before booking. Larger container flows for Istanbul and Marmara cargo may be routed through other Marmara terminals depending on carrier network, vessel size, terminal specialization, and inland delivery point.
The port’s infrastructure can support:
- Container handling where available
- Import and export cargo flows
- FCL and LCL cargo where service is available
- General cargo handling
- RoRo and vehicle-related cargo
- Dry bulk cargo
- Machinery and industrial equipment
- Construction materials
- Consumer goods and retail inventory
- Food products and commercial cargo
- Yard and gate operations
- Customs and inspection procedures
- Storage and warehousing activity
- Trucking access across Istanbul and the Marmara region
- Rail-linked logistics activity where applicable
- Cargo links with Istanbul, Kocaeli, Gebze, Bursa, Sakarya, Ankara, Eskişehir, and other inland markets
This infrastructure makes Haydarpaşa suitable for Istanbul-focused freight, Marmara region cargo, general cargo, RoRo cargo, industrial freight, machinery, construction materials, and commercial shipments where service availability matches the cargo requirement.
Main Cargo Handled Through Haydarpaşa
The Port of Haydarpaşa has handled a broad mix of containerized cargo, RoRo cargo, general cargo, dry bulk, machinery, industrial equipment, construction materials, food products, consumer goods, retail inventory, chemicals where permitted, vehicles, and general commercial freight.
| Cargo Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Containerized imports | Consumer goods, machinery, spare parts, chemicals, plastics, retail inventory |
| Containerized exports | Manufactured goods, machinery, textiles, food products, industrial cargo |
| General cargo | Pallets, cartons, machinery, industrial goods, packaged freight, mixed commercial cargo |
| RoRo cargo | Vehicles, wheeled machinery, trailers, rolling equipment where service is available |
| Dry bulk cargo | Grain, minerals, construction-related bulk cargo where terminal service is available |
| Machinery cargo | Industrial equipment, spare parts, factory machinery, tools, production equipment |
| Construction cargo | Building materials, hardware, fixtures, packaged construction goods |
| Retail cargo | Store inventory, fashion goods, household goods, seasonal products, packaged consumer products |
| Food and beverage cargo | Packaged food, beverages, agricultural products, chilled or frozen goods where service is available |
| Chemical and plastic cargo | Packaged chemicals, resins, plastic products, industrial chemicals where permitted |
| Automotive-related cargo | Spare parts, components, accessories, vehicles where terminal service is available |
| General commercial freight | Cartons, pallets, samples, finished goods, consolidated shipments |
Haydarpaşa is especially relevant for shippers that need access to Istanbul’s Asian side, the Marmara region, customs brokerage, inland trucking, industrial cargo flows, general cargo facilities, and regional shipping options.
Shipping to Haydarpaşa Türkiye
Importers ship cargo to Haydarpaşa from Europe, the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, the Middle East, East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, North America, and other global trade regions where service is available.
Common imports to Haydarpaşa and Istanbul include:
- Consumer goods and retail inventory
- Machinery and spare parts
- Industrial equipment
- Automotive parts and accessories
- Raw materials and manufacturing inputs
- Chemicals and plastic materials where permitted
- Food products and beverages
- Packaging materials
- Construction materials
- Furniture and home goods
- Apparel, textiles, and footwear
- Electronics and components
- Pharmaceuticals and healthcare products where permitted
- General cargo
- Commercial freight
- RoRo cargo where suitable
- Dry bulk and breakbulk cargo where suitable
When shipping to Haydarpaşa, importers should compare total landed cost rather than only the ocean freight rate. Total landed cost may include origin charges, sea freight, destination charges, customs duty, VAT, terminal handling, customs broker fees, documentation fees, storage, demurrage, detention, trucking, rail freight, inspection fees where applicable, inland delivery, and cargo insurance.
Use the iContainers ocean freight calculator to estimate shipping costs and compare available freight options.
Shipping From Haydarpaşa Türkiye
Exporters may use Haydarpaşa for cargo moving from Istanbul, Kocaeli, Gebze, Sakarya, Bursa, Yalova, Eskişehir, Ankara, and other Turkish production or distribution areas to Europe, the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, the Middle East, Asia, North America, Africa, and other international markets where carrier service is available.
Common export cargo from Haydarpaşa includes:
- Machinery and spare parts
- Industrial products
- Automotive parts and components
- Textiles, apparel, and footwear
- Furniture and household goods
- Food products and beverages
- Chemicals and plastic products where permitted
- Packaging materials
- Consumer goods
- Retail merchandise
- Construction materials
- General containerized freight
- RoRo cargo where suitable
- Breakbulk and dry bulk cargo where suitable
For exporters, the best shipping option depends on cargo volume, commodity type, destination, Incoterm, carrier service, terminal cut-off, equipment availability, export documentation, inland pickup location, inspection requirements, commodity restrictions, and required transit time.
FCL is usually more efficient for larger commercial volumes, while LCL can work well for smaller shipments, samples, cartons, pallets, and partial container loads moving through consolidation hubs.
FCL vs LCL Shipping Through Haydarpaşa Türkiye
| Shipping Option | Best For | Main Advantage | Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCL shipping | Full 20ft or 40ft container loads | Dedicated container and fewer cargo touchpoints | Must confirm container service availability at Haydarpaşa before booking |
| LCL shipping | Smaller shipments, cartons, pallets, samples, partial loads | Pay only for the space used | May involve consolidation or deconsolidation through Istanbul, Ambarlı, Gemlik, Mersin, İzmir, or another hub |
| General cargo shipping | Machinery, packaged goods, construction materials, industrial freight | Flexible for non-standard commercial cargo | Requires accurate packing, labeling, documentation, and cargo details |
| RoRo cargo | Vehicles, wheeled machinery, trailers, rolling equipment | Useful where RoRo service and terminal handling are available | Requires service availability, vehicle documentation, terminal acceptance, and delivery scheduling |
| Dry bulk cargo | Grain, minerals, construction-related bulk cargo | Suitable for bulk commodity movements where service is available | Requires terminal compatibility, handling specifications, and regulatory clearance |
| Food and beverage cargo | Packaged food, beverages, chilled or frozen products where service exists | Useful for commercial food shipments | May require sanitary, phytosanitary, health, or product-specific documents |
| Chemical and industrial cargo | Packaged chemicals, resins, plastic products, manufacturing inputs | Supports industrial and commercial supply chains | Requires classification, permits, safety documentation, and terminal compatibility |
| Retail and eCommerce cargo | Store inventory, marketplace stock, consumer goods, seasonal products | Useful for Istanbul distribution | Requires delivery scheduling, inventory planning, and customs documentation |
For shippers comparing route options, iContainers’ transit time calculator can help estimate shipping times before booking.
Customs Clearance at Haydarpaşa and Türkiye
Cargo imported or exported through Haydarpaşa must comply with Turkish customs and border requirements. Importers, exporters, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and logistics providers should prepare accurate shipment data before cargo arrival or departure, including product descriptions, HS codes, customs value, country of origin, shipper details, consignee details, importer information, exporter information, tax details, permits where applicable, and supporting documentation.
Commercial shipments through Türkiye may require documents such as a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or sea waybill, customs declaration, certificate of origin when required, import permit or export permit when applicable, insurance certificate, and product-specific certificates or inspection documents.
Regulated goods such as food products, agricultural goods, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, electronics, batteries, hazardous cargo, timber products, plants, animals, vehicles, dual-use goods, waste products, and restricted items may require additional permits, inspection, testing, certification, safety documentation, sanitary or phytosanitary clearance, product compliance records, or agency authorization under Turkish rules.
For more general guidance, read iContainers’ guide to customs clearance.
Documents Needed for Shipping Through Haydarpaşa Türkiye
Most commercial ocean freight shipments to or from Haydarpaşa require:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading or sea waybill
- Customs declaration
- HS code or product classification
- Importer details, when importing into Türkiye
- Exporter details, when exporting from Türkiye
- Consignee and shipper details
- Tax identification details, when applicable
- Certificate of origin, when required
- A.TR movement certificate, when applicable
- EUR.1 certificate, when applicable
- Preferential origin certificate, when claiming preferential tariff treatment
- Import permit or export permit, when applicable
- Delivery order or cargo release documents
- Insurance certificate, when applicable
- Inspection certificate, when applicable
- Product conformity documents, when applicable
- CE documentation, when applicable
- Turkish Standards Institute documentation, when applicable
- Food safety documents, when applicable
- Sanitary or phytosanitary certificates, when applicable
- Health certificate, when applicable
- Veterinary certificate, when applicable
- Chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, medical device, food, agriculture, electronics, timber, or vehicle documentation, when applicable
- Dangerous goods declaration, when applicable
- Safety data sheet, for chemicals or hazardous cargo
- Battery documentation, when applicable
- Customs broker authorization, when using a customs broker
- Inland transport documents, when cargo moves by truck, rail, warehouse transfer, bonded logistics transfer, factory pickup, transshipment, or final delivery
Documentation should be complete and consistent before cargo arrival or departure. Incorrect HS codes, incomplete product descriptions, missing permits, inaccurate invoices, inconsistent consignee details, late customs filings, missing inspection documents, unclear cargo values, or missing agency approvals can delay customs clearance and increase costs.
Common Shipping Routes for Haydarpaşa Türkiye
Haydarpaşa connects Istanbul and the Marmara region with Mediterranean, Black Sea, European, Middle Eastern, Asian, and global trade lanes through container services, RoRo services, general cargo operations, feeder networks, trucking, rail, and inland logistics where service is available.
| Trade Lane | Common Cargo |
|---|---|
| Europe to Haydarpaşa | Machinery, chemicals, industrial inputs, consumer goods, food products |
| Mediterranean to Haydarpaşa | Consumer goods, retail cargo, machinery, food products, industrial cargo |
| Black Sea to Haydarpaşa | Grain, general cargo, machinery, raw materials, regional freight |
| Middle East to Haydarpaşa | Chemicals, plastics, industrial materials, machinery, consumer goods |
| East Asia to Haydarpaşa | Consumer goods, electronics, machinery, components, retail inventory |
| Haydarpaşa to Europe | Textiles, machinery, consumer goods, automotive parts, food products |
| Haydarpaşa to Mediterranean ports | General cargo, retail cargo, machinery, food products, industrial goods |
| Haydarpaşa to Black Sea ports | Construction materials, machinery, consumer goods, general freight |
| Haydarpaşa to Middle East | Machinery, textiles, industrial goods, consumer products, general cargo |
| Haydarpaşa to North Africa | Consumer goods, machinery, textiles, construction materials, industrial cargo |
| Haydarpaşa to Asia | Industrial goods, textiles, machinery, consumer goods, general freight |
| Haydarpaşa to North America | Machinery, textiles, consumer goods, industrial cargo, general freight |
Routing may involve direct ocean services, feeder services, trucking, rail, inland delivery, or transshipment through Haydarpaşa, Ambarlı, Kumport, Marport, Gemlik, Yalova, Kocaeli, İzmir, Mersin, Piraeus, Constanța, Varna, Odessa, Port Said, Jeddah, Jebel Ali, Salalah, Colombo, Singapore, Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas, Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Qingdao, Busan, Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Hamburg, Valencia, Algeciras, New York/New Jersey, Savannah, Houston, Los Angeles, and Long Beach depending on carrier schedule, cargo type, terminal availability, and final destination.
When Should You Use Haydarpaşa Instead of Another Turkish Port?
Haydarpaşa can be suitable when:
- The cargo origin or destination is on the Asian side of Istanbul or close to the port
- The shipment needs access to Istanbul’s urban distribution network
- The cargo is suitable for available general cargo, RoRo, dry bulk, or container handling services
- Inland pickup or delivery is more efficient through Haydarpaşa than through Ambarlı, Gemlik, Yalova, Kocaeli, İzmir, or Mersin
- The shipment involves machinery, construction materials, consumer goods, industrial equipment, food products, RoRo cargo, dry bulk, or general commercial freight
- Carrier schedule, terminal availability, equipment availability, customs process, trucking cost, and total landed cost are better through Haydarpaşa
Another Turkish port may be more suitable when cargo requires larger container vessel calls, higher-frequency deep-sea container services, more modern container terminal capacity, or easier access to a different inland region. Ambarlı and nearby Marmara terminals may be better for many Istanbul container flows. Gemlik and Yalova may be suitable for Bursa and automotive-related cargo. Kocaeli may be better for industrial cargo in the eastern Marmara region. İzmir may be better for Aegean cargo. Mersin may be more suitable for southern Türkiye, Central Anatolia, and eastern Mediterranean trade.
The right port choice should be based on total landed cost, cargo origin, inland distance, terminal availability, current operational status, sailing schedule, commodity type, customs requirements, service frequency, trucking capacity, warehouse availability, and required delivery date.
How to Get an Ocean Freight Quote for Haydarpaşa Türkiye
To get a freight quote to or from Haydarpaşa, prepare the following details:
- Origin and destination
- Port-to-port, door-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-door requirement
- Cargo weight and dimensions
- Number of pallets, cartons, boxes, containers, vehicles, or shipment units
- FCL, LCL, general cargo, hazardous cargo, machinery cargo, chemical cargo, industrial cargo, food cargo, retail cargo, RoRo cargo, dry bulk, breakbulk cargo, or temperature-controlled cargo preference
- Commodity description and HS code, if available
- Cargo ready date
- Incoterm
- Supplier, warehouse, factory, distribution center, bonded logistics center, production site, or inland pickup address, if exporting
- Final delivery address, if importing or arranging door delivery
- Customs clearance requirements
- Import permit, export permit, product permit, or agency requirements, if applicable
- Product inspection, testing, sanitary, phytosanitary, conformity, or certification requirements, if applicable
- Special handling requirements, such as hazardous cargo, chemicals, lithium batteries, food products, pharmaceuticals, temperature control, oversized cargo, customs inspection, vehicle cargo, product testing, or high-value cargo
- Preferred carrier, terminal, trucking provider, customs broker, warehouse, bonded logistics facility, rail route, or transshipment hub, if already specified
With iContainers, businesses can compare ocean freight options online, review available rates, and manage international shipments through a digital booking process.
FAQ About the Port of Haydarpaşa
The Port of Haydarpaşa is located on the Asian side of Istanbul, Türkiye, near the southern entrance of the Bosphorus and close to Haydarpaşa railway station.
The UN/LOCODE for Haydarpaşa is TRHAY.
Haydarpaşa has historically handled containers, general cargo, RoRo cargo, dry bulk, machinery, construction materials, food products, industrial goods, vehicles, and commercial freight.
Haydarpaşa is a historic Istanbul port, but many modern Istanbul and Marmara container flows may move through larger regional container terminals such as Ambarlı, Kumport, Marport, Gemlik, Yalova, or Kocaeli depending on carrier service, terminal availability, and inland destination.
Haydarpaşa can serve Istanbul’s Asian side, the wider Istanbul market, Kocaeli, Gebze, Sakarya, Bursa, Yalova, Eskişehir, Ankara, and other Turkish inland regions depending on trucking, rail, warehousing, customs, and final delivery arrangements.
Haydarpaşa may be better for cargo close to Istanbul’s Asian side or cargo requiring specific general cargo, RoRo, or local handling arrangements. Ambarlı and nearby Marmara terminals may be better for many containerized deep-sea services depending on carrier schedule and terminal availability.