ISO Council Member Kaya: Seven-Day Port Storage Fees Surpass 140,000 TL, Industrialists Seek Solutions

Forex - The extended waiting times for raw materials delivered to ports are negatively impacting manufacturers and exporters by increasing costs. Fikret Kaya, a member of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) Council, stated that the processing times for unloading ships at the port are at least four days and can sometimes extend to ten days. He mentioned that the port demurrage fee for ten 40-foot containers exceeds 140,000 TL for a seven-day period. Kaya emphasized that exorbitant prices are applied, particularly at Ambarlı and Haydarpaşa ports, and said, "The arrival and unloading processes of the ships must be clearly planned and expedited."

Manufacturers and exporters, already under pressure from low exchange rates and high interest rates, have also started to be adversely affected by the increasing delivery times at the ports recently. While the waiting time for containers at the ports can reach up to ten days, this situation is also raising demurrage costs and rents.

WAITING TIME REACHES UP TO TEN DAYS; EXORBITANT FEES ARE CHARGED In his evaluations regarding the issue, Fikret Kaya pointed out that the operations based on the procedures of private companies at port operations and warehouses disrupt the business processes. He indicated that the processing times for unloading ships at the port are not less than four days and can extend to ten days, especially during weekends and holidays. Kaya emphasized that demurrage costs are increasing day by day and that rents also rise when the waiting time is prolonged, highlighting the exorbitant prices at Ambarlı and Haydarpaşa ports. He stated that the arrival and unloading processes of the ships need to be clearly planned and expedited.

Kaya also addressed the pricing policies of private warehouse companies in the port area, noting that there is no difference among prices and a lack of competition. He stated that prices should be determined and monitored transparently, mentioning that the port demurrage fee for ten 40-foot containers exceeds 140,000 TL for a seven-day period.

CALL FOR 'INCONSISTENCIES IN INVOICES TO BE REVIEWED' Kaya indicated that invoices issued by warehouses and port operations contain inconsistencies, pointing out that some companies charge additional costs under the name of energy share, stressing that it should be examined whether this practice complies with regulations.

He mentioned that there are also delays in refunding the deposit fees charged per container, stating, "Deposit refunds can take between three weeks to one month. These timeframes create serious costs for exporters. Additionally, some transportation companies impose a condition of using their own firms for transportation to avoid taking deposits, which creates unfair competition."

Kaya proposed that procedures in customs areas need to be made more efficient for exporters and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), expressing that solutions should be developed that reduce costs for SMEs, which constitute approximately 70% of Turkish industry, while being competitive and sustainable. He emphasized their readiness for cooperation as a union, demanded results-oriented steps to be taken to resolve manufacturers' issues, and stated that they would continue to communicate with relevant institutions to convey their solution proposals.