The supply chain in the north is close to breaking point, as serious shortcomings persist at the ports of Kyrenia and Famagusta, according to Turkish Cypriot “public works and transport minister” Faiz Sucuoğlu, who said he was “ashamed” by the conditions he encountered during inspections.
Speaking on Turkish Cypriot television, Sucuoğlu said significant problems with port infrastructure had been identified over the past two weeks, including failures in basic passenger facilities.
“I found ports which, I apologise for saying this, but I was ashamed of. Kyrenia port, Famagusta port, and particularly Kyrenia... It cannot be like this,” he said.
Passengers waiting in ‘appalling conditions’
Sucuoğlu said there were serious shortcomings even in passenger waiting areas.
“People are waiting in appalling conditions. The lights don't work, it is dark. During these two weeks we encountered a great many shortcomings,” he said, arguing that overall conditions at the ports need to be reassessed.
He also addressed the crisis affecting maritime transport, saying efforts had been under way for approximately 15 days to find a solution, although securing a new route or vessel within such a short timeframe was proving extremely difficult.
“For 15 days we have been working day and night to find out how we can solve the problem. But in shipping it is almost impossible to find a new route or a new vessel within one week, three days, 15 or 20 days. Everything has been tried,” he said.
Truck operators face financial pressure
According to Sucuoğlu, the disruption has also severely affected truck operators, with some businesses facing significant financial difficulties.
He said some had faced restrictions on issuing cheques, while others had even lost their agency agreements because they were unable to transport products and companies they worked with in Turkey terminated their arrangements.
Sucuoğlu described the situation as a “major tragedy”, but stressed that supplies could not simply be halted.
“We can say cancel everything and don't let any ships come. But this is an island. Supplies come by ship,” he said.
According to him, transport is currently being handled by the vessels Karpaz and Yıldız, which have carried around 350 trucks since Monday.
A further 250 trucks are waiting in Mersin and Taşucu.
“The supply chain is on the verge of disruption,” Sucuoğlu warned.
Filo Jet investigation continues
Referring to the deadly Filo Jet shipwreck off Kyrenia, Sucuoğlu said the investigation was continuing and that any criminal or other responsibility identified would be attributed accordingly.
“The investigation will continue and, if there is someone responsible, they will be identified,” he said.
Sucuoğlu added that there was currently no ban against Filo Denizcilik, the company whose vessel Filo Jet operated the fatal route towards Turkey.
On 31 August, then “public works and transport minister” Erhan Arıklı had announced the suspension of the company’s services.
Until that announcement, and despite the disaster, the company had continued operating its routes normally.
‘There is nothing hidden’
Sucuoğlu also invited anyone questioning documentation relating to the case to examine the relevant records.
“Those who have questions can come. Our director-general is waiting for them and is ready to share the necessary documents with them. There is nothing hidden,” he said.
The comments come approximately a month after the Kyrenia shipwreck, with the aftermath now exposing wider concerns over port infrastructure, maritime transport capacity and the resilience of the supply chain in the north.
