Antalya considers Kaleiçi Yat Limanı revamp to ease cruise ship berth crisis

Antalya is seeking to resolve a shortage of cruise ship berths by potentially upgrading the historic Kaleiçi Yat Limanı, according to local news outlet Akdeniz Gerçek. The move follows repeated congestion at Antalya Port, where cargo and passenger vessels share the same quay.

Technical study launched

İzzet Ünlü, chairman of the Antalya Denizcileşme Platformu, announced that the 6th Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has officially begun a technical study in the area. Speaking to Akdeniz Gerçek, Ünlü said the ministry has decided to carry out technical work in two separate locations: Demre and Kaleiçi.

The study will be conducted under the “Kaleiçi Yat Limanı Mendirek Rehabilitation Project” and will determine whether an additional quay or berthing platform can be built at the marina. Ünlü stressed that implementation of any project would depend on legal and bureaucratic approval processes.

Cruise-cargo clash

The urgency of the issue was highlighted when the 335-metre cruise ship “Aroya” was forced to dock at the Serbest Bölge (Free Zone) quay because no suitable berth was available at Antalya Port. The incident brought renewed attention to the long-standing conflict between freight traffic and passenger vessels competing for the same limited rıhtım (quay) space.

The proposed revamp of Kaleiçi Yat Limanı aims to adapt the historic marina for cruise traffic while preserving its historical and natural character. The project has received support from Ahmet Öztürk, chairman of the ATSO Assembly, and the Antalya Forum-X Platformu.

Charter-market relevance

If realised, the project would separate cruise operations from cargo handling, potentially freeing up capacity at Antalya Port and improving scheduling predictability for all users, including charter operators who rely on the port for crew changes, provisioning and guest transfers.

Why it matters for charter

For the charter market, a dedicated cruise berth at Kaleiçi Yat Limanı could reduce congestion at Antalya Port, easing logistical bottlenecks for yacht crew changes, provisioning and guest transfers.