It was established on 3 January 1987. It was the first free zone of Turkey. Its initial area was 776 decares (0.776 km2; 0.300 sq mi) The area is now 836 decares (0.836 km2; 0.323 sq mi). It is operated by Mesbaş firm with build-operate-transfer method.[1] With a handling capacity of 9 million tonnes of bulk cargo and 2.6 million tonnes of containerized cargo it is the second largest free zone of Turkey.[2]