Pier and Port Policies in Turkey during the Republic Period (1923-1960)

Abstract

This study deals with the pier and port policies in Turkey from the early years of the Republic to 1960 and the reflections of these policies on economy. The subject is limited to and addressed in two periods: the pier and port policies in the early Republic period (1923-1950) and the pier and port policies in the Democratic Party (DP) period (1950-1960). Evaluations on the pier and port policies in Turkey and the contributions of these policies to economy have been made based on numeric data. The source materials of the study are Republic archive documents, official publications such as proceedings of memorandum, laws, journals of official reports, official gazettes, statistical annuals, Ayın Tarihi journal [government's dating publication], and articles from the economics magazines of the period. The relevant evaluations have been made considering the contributions of piers and ports to the development of maritime trade. The study has found out that port services, which were performed by foreigners as of the early years of the Republic, were transferred to companies established with Turkish capital in 1925. With the state's undertaking port services in 1939, Directorate General of State Ports Authority was set up. This institution was turned into Directorate General of State Seaways and Ports Authority in 1944. Also, legal gaps concerning ports and piers were eliminated through the laws introduced. In the DP period, internal and external financing sources of the ports and piers were increased; reconstruction, improvement, and expansion works were launched; and the ports were made well-equipped. In this way, their loading and unloading capacities were enhanced. By this means, Turkey's external maritime trade volume was raised, thereby making considerable contributions to national economy.