Subscription of Concession Agreement for the Multipurpose Pier in the port of Taranto with the San Cataldo Terminal

On July 30th the Port Network Authority of the Ionian Sea and the San Cataldo Terminal S.p.A., controlled by the Yilport Holding a.s., part of Yildirim Holding a.s., subscribed the Maritime Concession for the areas and the quay included in the state property compendium named “Multipurpose Terminal” in the port of Taranto for 49 years, with the aim to operate the terminal and promote the development of commercial traffic and logistics. The law firm Delfino e Associati Willkie Farr Gallagher LLP advised Yilport Holding

Yilport Holding, currently listed 13th among terminal operators in the world by Drewry, is part of the Yildirim Group which aims to rank among the first 10 terminal operators in the world by 2025 thanks to its development plans. The group has a 24% share in CMA CGM Group, the third biggest container shipping line in the world, and plans to implement activities in the port of Taranto as gateway terminal and gradually as transshipment hub.

The subscription of the Concession Agreeement is a milestone for the port of Taranto – claims the Port Network Authority President Mr. Sergio Prete – thanks to the partnership with first-class global operator Yilport Holding the port will soon be able to resume its connection with international markets with advantages for the port community and the territory.

The relaunch of the Multipurpose Terminal in the port of Taranto represents a challenge for Yilport Holding – claims the Yildirim Group President Robert Yuksel Yildirim – matching the innovating drive at the core of Yiport’s mission, which aims to be a “game changer” on the international market. In the framework of reaching the partners’ objectives of development, it will be fundamental to carry out a win win strategy in cooperation with the local institutions and the whole community.

The mayor Rinaldo Melucci, the President of the Province Giovanni Gugliotti, the regional Councilor for Economic Development Cosimo Borraccino and the Harbor Master Giorgio Castronuovo, attended the signing of the Agreement. Before the subscription the delegation visited the port of Taranto and the areas of the Multipurpose Terminal; Robert Yildirim examined personally the conditions of the terminal and the equipment. The Logistic Park received a special focus during the visit as it will operate in synergy with the container terminal.

After the subscription of the Concession Agreement Yilport and Port Network Authority of the Ionian Sea presented the project for the port of Taranto to the press and to military, civil and religious authorities. Both Port Network Authority and the new concessionaire illustrated the aims and strategical objectives for the next years with the perspective of opening up a dialogue about the opportunity to build cultural bridges between Italy and Turkey beyond commercial relations.