Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 14 hrs ago
Turkey aims to make Istanbul’s Tuzla port emissions-free by 2031
Turkey’s shipbuilding industry aims to make Tuzla port emissions-free by 2031 by electrifying the tugboats that move ships.
Four electric tugboats are already operating at the port, on Istanbul’s Asian side, and the industry plans to build three more.
The Turkish government says 40,100 vessels passed through the Turkish straits in 2025, and the UN says the routes carry 3% of global maritime trade.
The four boats have avoided 2,586.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions since the transition began, according to the shipbuilders’ association.
Electric tugboats cost more to build than diesel models, but their energy costs are 30% lower and maintenance costs 85% lower.
The target is to eliminate climate pollution at the port within five years, with investment estimated at 70 million euros.
COP31 in Turkey could help connect the project with potential funding, while further expansion would require charging infrastructure, renewable power and batteries.
Turkey’s shipbuilding industry aims to make Istanbul’s Tuzla port emissions-free by 2031.
The plan relies on electrifying tugboats, which maneuver ships in the port.
Four electric tugboats are operating at Tuzla, after one began service in 2020 and three more entered operation in 2023.
The project is expected to require 70 million euros in investment.
The industry says the transition has prevented 2,586.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions so far.
- Who
- Turkey’s shipbuilding industry, including the Turkish Shipbuilders’ Association, is pursuing the plan.
- What
- The industry aims to make Tuzla port emissions-free by electrifying tugboats and expanding port infrastructure.
- When
- The target year is 2031.
- Where
- Tuzla port, on the Asian side of Istanbul, Turkey.
- Why
- The industry aims to cut carbon emissions and showcase its technology during COP31.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Tuzla port received its first electric tugboat, built by Turkish company Navtek.
Three more electric tugboats entered operation, bringing the fleet to four.
The industry aims to make Tuzla port emissions-free.
- Target
- 2031
- Port
- Tuzla, on Istanbul’s Asian side
- Electric tugboats
- Four in operation
- Planned investment
- 70 million euros
- Avoided emissions so far
- 2,586.7 tonnes of CO₂
What people are saying
We have the largest fleet of electric tugboats in the world, and we intend to build three more. We will turn Tuzla port into the world’s first zero-emissions port.
We built the electric tugboats with investment from the private sector itself, without any incentives. Turkey’s shipbuilding industry is genuinely interested in decarbonization.
COP31, by itself, does not guarantee resources, but it can help connect projects to potential sources of financing.