Evaluation of Short-sea Shipping Networks in the Sea of Marmara for the Efficient Earthquake Transportation Emergency Management

Abstract

The north region of the Sea of Marmara is one of the highest seismic potential regions in the Euro-Mediterranean zone. The studies after a destructive earthquake on 17 August 1999 on the North Anatolian Fault reveal that Istanbul and its surrounding area is under the seismic risk and estimate a high probability of strong shaking in Istanbul. After the 1999 earthquake, huge efforts have been made to establish a modern and integrated earthquake management system by the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). Logistics management is one of the main issues of the Earthquake Crisis Management to provide search and rescue operations, medical equipment and food supports and transportation of earthquake victims to the safe regions. Considering the seismic hazard in the Marmara region, optimization of transportation emergency decision-making guiding system is necessary since the time pressure of post-earthquake emergency especially within the “golden 72 hours” of life rescue. If a possible high magnitude earthquake occurs in the Marmara region, road transportation cannot be possible in some of the areas due to damages on highway and bridges. Seaway transport alternatives should be evaluated in the region for an efficient disaster management. As a semi-enclosed sea, the Sea of Marmara provides a great opportunity for the short-sea shipping. This study evaluates short-sea transportation networks in the region presenting an assessment on ship and port selection criteria for the efficient earthquake transportation emergency management. As a result of the study, evaluated short-sea shipping routes and ports show that the Marmara region has a grand short-sea shipping potential for the earthquake transportation emergency management.This study is based on a part of the project proposal named “Integration of Maritime Networks in Evacuation to Temporary Shelter Areas” for AFAD.