POWER at the PORT

How Forsen Machinery and Sennebogen support one of Turkey’s busiest private ports

Yesilurt Port sits on the Black Sea coast in Samsun and serves as a critical logistics hub for steel, scrap and bulk commodity flows. The port handles a varied mix of cargo, from raw steel billets and coils to scrap metal and aggregates serving both the domestic industry and international shipping. Rather than relying on flashy infrastructure upgrades, Yesilurt has grown steadily through careful investment in equipment and a reliable maintenance regime.

Long-time Port Operations Manager Salih Cengiz has overseen much of that evolution during more than 20 years on site. He explains that Yesilurt’s growth has always been matched by upgrading its material-handling fleet, ensuring the port keeps pace with increasing cargo volumes. “We started with the Sennebogen 835, then later added the 870 and 880 models as our requirements increased. When our volumes demanded even more capacity, we looked at the 895,” he says.

The core of the fleet remains the versatile Sennebogen 835 E, which continues to handle lighter-duty work such as scrap handling and small-vessel discharge. With an operating weight between 45 and 66 tonnes, roughly 20 m reach and powered by a 231 kW diesel engine (or optional electric drive), the 835 offers manoeuvrability and flexibility useful for yard jobs and quick-turn tasks.

For heavier flows on larger berths, the port turns to the Sennebogen 870 E Hybrid. At up to 145 tonnes and a 27 m reach, the 870 delivers bulk-handling capacity while the Hybrid energy-recovery system keeps fuel consumption in check during repetitive cycles , a tangible benefit during long vessel loadouts and tight schedules.

Handling the heaviest demands is the Sennebogen 880 EQ, with its over 200-tonne operating weight, up to 35 m reach, and a powerful 470 kW power unit, a configuration suited for deep-hold vessels and large bulk shipments. Its equilibrium counterweight system provides stability at long outreach, critical when unloading heavy steel or scrap cargo under challenging load conditions.

In recent years, Yesilurt has also considered the Sennebogen 895 E Hybrid, the largest material handler in Sennebogen’s port range. The 895 boasts an operating weight of around 420 tonnes, a reach of up to 40 metres, and a choice of powerful drives, a 585 kW diesel engine or a 500 kW electric motor. According to Sennebogen’s own specifications, this “giant of port handling machines” is built to manage the heaviest scrap, bulk or container flows, making it a natural candidate should Yesilurt’s throughput continue to rise or its shipping calls grow in size.

“OUR HISTORY WITH THESE MACHINES IS A TIMELINE IN ITSELF AND IT MIRRORS SENNEBOGEN’S EVOLUTION .”

Salih Cengiz, Port Operations Manager

What makes Yesilurt’s operation stand out is not only the range of machines, but the long-term relationship with Forsen Machinery, the authorised Sennebogen dealer for the region. Forsen has supported every phase of the port’s fleet development, from initial delivery and set-up through to ongoing maintenance, inspections and emergency repairs. Their team knows the machines, the site and the rhythm of the port.

Cengiz says that reliability and proximity of service are key: “Forsen know our machines and they know our workflow. When we need something, they are here. That level of support is a major reason we continue with Sennebogen.” As he puts it, good machines matter – but good backing matters just as much.

Senior engineer Okan Gok from Forsen Machinery confirms that approach: “These machines run long hours in tough environments. Our job is to make sure they remain available. We have supported Yesilurt for many years and we understand what they need from the fleet. That connection is what keeps everything running smoothly.”

On site, operators highlight the advantages of Sennebogen’s port-specific features: elevated operator cabs on the 870, 880 and 895 that give clear visibility into ship holds; corrosion-resistant undercarriages and hydraulic cooling systems designed for harsh quay-side conditions; and maintenance access designed for quick turnaround, all essential in a port that operates around the clock.

Yesilurt’s strategy is not built around headline expansion. Instead, it favours practical, well-timed investment in equipment, combined with enduring partnerships that ensure uptime and productivity. As cargo volumes continue to rise, the 895 sits on the radar – a potential “green giant” ready to step in if the port needs more capacity.

For now, the mix of 835, 870 and 880 machines, backed by Forsen’s support, meet the demand reliably. But the 895 remains a symbol of ambition and a reminder that for a port built on consistency, the right tool at the right time can make all the difference.

“WE KNOW EVERY MACHINE ON THIS SITE AND WE SUPPORT THEM TO WORK WITHOUT INTERRUPTION. THE PARTNERSHIP IS BUILT ON LONG-TERM TRUST .”

Okan Gok