Market Concentration and Cargo Distribution in Türkiye’s Ports: A Cargo-Type Based Analysis

This study investigates the market structure and distributional inequality of cargo handled at Türkiye ports between 2017 and 2023, focusing on container and liquid chemical cargo, and between 2018 and 2023 for dry bulk cargo. The research evaluates inter-port competition and the sectoral distribution of cargo flows using annual cargo handling data from ports affiliated with the Türkiye Port Operators Association (TÜRKLİM). The analysis employs multiple quantitative indicators including the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), Gini coefficient, Theil index, and concentration ratios (CR3 and CR5)- to assess competitive dynamics and cargo distribution disparities. The results reveal that the Türkiye port system is highly competitive, characterized by low HHI values and moderate CR3 and CR5 ratios, indicating the absence of monopolistic dominance. However, elevated Gini and Theil index values, along with the Lorenz curve analysis, point to significant inequality in the distribution of cargo across ports. While a small number of large ports dominate in terms of volume, small and medium-sized ports continue to play a critical operational role, contributing to the resilience and flexibility of the system. These findings highlight the need for balanced infrastructure policies that support not only leading ports but also smaller regional actors. By integrating multiple metrics in its analytical framework, the study contributes a novel perspective to the literature on port planning and competition analysis.