Assess proximity to Filyos Port and coastal terminals, road access to main arterial highways, rail connections or sidings, bonded/Customs clearance options, and the 3PL’s incumbent carrier networks for LTL, FTL and ocean freight consolidation. Verify on-dock or near-dock drayage partners and peak-season capacity plans.

Zonguldak generally offers lower land and lease rates than Istanbul or Izmir, with competitive operating labor costs. The trade-off can be a smaller pool of specialized logistics talent; brands should evaluate local training programs, workforce scalability, and contract terms for seasonal volume flexibility.

All three models are viable: eCommerce benefits from reduced northern Turkey last-mile times, B2B gains from export consolidation via nearby ports, and omnichannel requires robust inventory visibility. Prioritize WMS capabilities, cross-dock throughput, and SLA-backed cut-off times when selecting a partner.

Close access to Filyos and Black Sea routes shortens drayage, improves modal flexibility for sea vs. road, and can reduce per-unit export handling through better consolidation. Impact on carrier rates depends on volume, seasonal port congestion, and the 3PL’s negotiated contracts with shipping lines and road carriers.

Require KPIs such as order accuracy, on-time dispatch, inventory accuracy, dock-to-stock time and return processing times; insist on WMS with API integrations to your ERP/TMS, real-time inventory visibility, EDI or API order flow, and clear contract terms for SLA credits, volume step-ups, minimum notice periods and termination conditions.