When it comes to port operations, uptime is not just important, it is everything. Ships arrive on strict schedules, thousands of tonnes of material must be shifted with speed and precision, and margins are measured in efficiency. That is why we travelled from the UK to Aliağa, İzmir, to see one of Turkey’s most productive ports in action. IDC Port, owned and operated by İzmir Demir Çelik Sanayi A.Ş., handles millions of tonnes of material annually, and at the heart of that flow is a fleet of unmistakable green machines from Sennebogen, supported by long-time Turkish dealer Forsen Makina.
Situated along the Aegean coastline, just north of the city of İzmir, IDC Port has grown into a crucial logistics hub for the steel and industrial sectors. It began operations in 2005 and today handles around 7.5 million tonnes of cargo per year, including coal, scrap metal, iron ore, and other dry bulk commodities. With six docks, vast open storage areas, and an expanding handling capacity, IDC plays a central role in both local and national infrastructure supply chains.
During our visit, we were welcomed by Port Manager Emre Söyler, who has overseen the port’s growth and development over the years. This facility was designed with long term performance in mind, he explained. And to achieve that, we needed machines that could handle continuous, heavy duty workloads, day after day. That is why we chose Sennebogen.
Towering above the yard and quay are IDC’s Sennebogen material handlers, easily recognisable by their distinctive green colour and imposing size. The port currently operates a fleet of ten Sennebogen machines, including multiple 880 EQ balance material handlers and the flagship 895 E Hybrid, one of the largest material handlers in the world. Other models in operation include the 870, 850, and 835 series, each chosen for specific tasks.
Eight of these machines work full time dockside, loading and unloading vessels. The remaining two operate inland, handling stacking and material transfer within the port’s massive yard. The sheer scale and constant activity make IDC a true testbed for any machine, and according to Emre, Sennebogen has passed that test with flying colours. These machines work every single day. They handle extreme volumes, under pressure, in all conditions, and they just do not break down. That is why we keep going back to Sennebogen.
Of particular note is IDC’s use of the Sennebogen 880 EQ, a 270 tonne electric balance material handler designed for maximum reach and minimal energy use. Thanks to its energy recovery and counterbalance system, the 880 EQ reduces power consumption by up to 75 percent compared to traditional hydraulic machines. It also offers incredible reach, up to 35 metres, making it ideal for unloading large vessels without repositioning.
One of IDC’s 880 EQs has already logged over 47,000 working hours, a staggering figure by any industry standard. According to the team, that same machine was recently retrofitted, swapping its original diesel powertrain for an electric drive system powered by a frequency converter. Since the conversion, it has clocked another 2,000 hours, pushing it beyond the 50,000 hour mark and showing no signs of slowing down. That machine is proof of what these models can do over the long haul. We have had it for years, and it just keeps going.
Alongside the EQs, the Sennebogen 895 E Hybrid has quickly become a star performer. With an operating weight exceeding 390 tonnes and an outreach of up to 40 metres, it is built for serious heavy lifting. The hybrid system uses a massive hydraulic accumulator to store and reuse energy from each boom movement, reducing electricity consumption significantly.
“WE HAVE
REDUCED ENERGY COSTS
BY UP TO
80 PERCENT
SINCE SWITCHING FROM DIESEL TO ELECTRIC WITHOUT COMPROMISING PERFORMANCE.”
SENNEBOGEN FEATURE Olcay Kaya Area Manager Forsen Makina Emre Soyler Port Manager IDC Liman Isletmeleri A.S.
IDC has also embraced electric drive technology more broadly, a trend that is becoming increasingly common in large scale port operations. Several of their Sennebogen machines are electrically powered, cutting energy costs by an estimated 70 to 80 percent compared to diesel equivalents. IDC says the transition to electric has also slashed maintenance demands and helped streamline daily operations. Going electric was not just about sustainability, it was about performance and cost control. We do not compromise on output. If anything, these electric units perform even better because there is no downtime for refuelling, and the maintenance is so much lower.
Even the best machine needs the right support, and that is where Forsen Makina comes in. As Sennebogen’s official Turkish dealer for over a decade, Forsen is responsible for the sale, commissioning, service, and long term support of every green machine at IDC.
Our visit was coordinated by Forsen’s team, who offered insight into how deeply embedded they are in Turkey’s port machinery sector. Nearly every major port in Turkey operates Sennebogen handlers, and nearly every one of them has passed through our hands. That is not about branding, it is about being there for the customer, every day, for the long term.
From on site training and remote diagnostics to scheduled servicing and rapid parts delivery, Forsen has built its name on consistency. That long term reliability is clearly appreciated by IDC. It is not just about the machine, said Emre. It is about the people behind it. With Forsen, we know we are in good hands.
What stood out most during our time at IDC was not just the scale of the port or the power of the machines, it was the longevity. In an industry where machines are often cycled out after five to seven years, IDC’s commitment to long term operation speaks volumes. These are not disposable assets. They are long term investments. If you look after them, they will look after you, and that is exactly what we have seen with Sennebogen.
That philosophy is shared by both the port and its machinery partner. Sennebogen’s machines are designed with long service life in mind, built using high quality components and engineered for modular upgrades and overhauls. With support from Forsen, many of these machines will likely remain in service well into the next decade.
As the sun dipped over the Aegean and another cargo ship was unloaded by a towering 880 EQ, the message was clear. This is a partnership that works. IDC, Sennebogen, and Forsen Makina have together created a model for efficiency, reliability, and smart investment, all while pushing the boundaries of what is possible in heavy port handling.
In a world where energy costs are rising, environmental regulations are tightening, and downtime can cost thousands per hour, IDC has found a formula that works, and it is wearing green.
“WE DO NOT JUST SELL THE MACHINES.
WE SUPPORT
THEM FOR LIFE
PARTS, SERVICE, TRAINING, EVERYTHING”