Research Article

Factors affecting container choice in Turkish maritime exports: A firm-level analysis

Volume: 52 Number: 2 December 30, 2025
Kemal Türkcan *, Hülya Saygılı
TR EN

Factors affecting container choice in Turkish maritime exports: A firm-level analysis

Abstract

We quantify the impact of destination-, firm-, and product-specific factors on the choice of containerization in Turkish maritime exports. Using micro-level data, we find that containerization increases when exporting over long distances, to an island, or to a country with efficient maritime connectivity. Conversely, containerization decreases when exporting to a high-income country or if there is a trade agreement between trade partners. Heavy and low-unit-valued products are more likely to be exported in containers. Firms tend to choose containerization if they have high export volumes, a high employment-output-productivity level, and export large numbers of products. Finally, the departure port is one of the most important factors in choosing container vessels over bulk carriers.

Keywords

Maritime exports, Transport mode choice, Container vessels, Bulk carriers, Ports, Turkey

References

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APA
Türkcan, K., & Saygılı, H. (2025). Factors affecting container choice in Turkish maritime exports: A firm-level analysis. ODTÜ Gelişme Dergisi, 52(2), 421-452. https://doi.org/10.60165/metusd.v52i2.7
AMA
1.Türkcan K, Saygılı H. Factors affecting container choice in Turkish maritime exports: A firm-level analysis. METUSD. 2025;52(2):421-452. doi:10.60165/metusd.v52i2.7
Chicago
Türkcan, Kemal, and Hülya Saygılı. 2025. “Factors Affecting Container Choice in Turkish Maritime Exports: A Firm-Level Analysis”. ODTÜ Gelişme Dergisi 52 (2): 421-52. https://doi.org/10.60165/metusd.v52i2.7.
EndNote
Türkcan K, Saygılı H (December 1, 2025) Factors affecting container choice in Turkish maritime exports: A firm-level analysis. ODTÜ Gelişme Dergisi 52 2 421–452.
IEEE
[1]K. Türkcan and H. Saygılı, “Factors affecting container choice in Turkish maritime exports: A firm-level analysis”, METUSD, vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 421–452, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.60165/metusd.v52i2.7.
ISNAD
Türkcan, Kemal - Saygılı, Hülya. “Factors Affecting Container Choice in Turkish Maritime Exports: A Firm-Level Analysis”. ODTÜ Gelişme Dergisi 52/2 (December 1, 2025): 421-452. https://doi.org/10.60165/metusd.v52i2.7.
JAMA
1.Türkcan K, Saygılı H. Factors affecting container choice in Turkish maritime exports: A firm-level analysis. METUSD. 2025;52:421–452.
MLA
Türkcan, Kemal, and Hülya Saygılı. “Factors Affecting Container Choice in Turkish Maritime Exports: A Firm-Level Analysis”. ODTÜ Gelişme Dergisi, vol. 52, no. 2, Dec. 2025, pp. 421-52, doi:10.60165/metusd.v52i2.7.
Vancouver
1.Kemal Türkcan, Hülya Saygılı. Factors affecting container choice in Turkish maritime exports: A firm-level analysis. METUSD. 2025 Dec. 1;52(2):421-52. doi:10.60165/metusd.v52i2.7