Turkon Line will commence a new Eastern-Mediterranean service to the Port of Savannah known as the "American Service." By signing a formal agreement with the GPA, Turkon Line will further enhance Mediterranean-US East Coast service options, while creating additional opportunities for Georgia exports such as forest products and kaolin clay to markets like Turkey, Israel and Egypt.

"Turkon's decision to bring its 'American Service' to the Port of Savannah is very welcome news," said Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) Executive Director Doug J. Marchand. "The GPA has planned for port infrastructure improvements and equipment purchases to accommodate the growth that will result from this new service and others to follow."

Headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey, Turkon Line offers one of the world's youngest container fleets, with an average vessel age less than five years. Turkon's fleet inventory is comprised of four vessels with an average teu capacity of 1,100 teus. Turkon's regularly scheduled "American Service" is projected to carry in excess of 40,000 teus through the Port of Savannah annually.

According to Turkon Line President Mustafa Merc, "As a 'customer-driven' organization, Turkon Line has always done what is right for the customer. And, what is right is being here in Savannah, our new US South Altantic gateway. We look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship with our friends at the GPA."

With the line's first vessel scheduled for arrival during the last week of June, the vessel rotation is New York, Norfolk, Savannah, Gemlik, Istanbul, Izmir, New York. The new service will also feature transshipment capabilities to Alexandria, Haifa and Ashdod.

US export cargoes anticipated to be handled by Turkon Line via Savannah include woodpulp, paper products, linerboard and kaolin clay. Inbound cargoes include finished textile and fabrics.

Turkon Line was established in April 1997 as an independent, Turkish flag, ocean carrier. With three services, North Europe, Inter-Med as well as the American Service, Turkon Line is one of the fastest growing container transportation companies in the world.