Mardas Marmara Deniz Isletmeciligi, one of Turkey's first private port, started its port operation activities in 1991. Founded to carry out the port operations of iron and steel products traded by the group companies, Mardaş has become a structure that serves the third parties over time. In 2002, together with the increasing importance of maritime transport container operations, Mardas became the container port and took its place among Turkey's top 10 container ports. Thanks to the location and its connection to Mediterranean Sea, Aegean Sea, Marmara Sea and the Black Sea is at a central place in container trade of Turkey and has a strategical importance in the transit freight corridor between Europe and the Far East. Mardas is a well-established company that provides services in all areas of the maritime sector with its sister companies, which also operate as shipowners, brokers, shipyards and agencies. Mardas is a subsidiary of the Aslan family, which also owns İcdas Celik Enerji Tersane ve Ulasim Sanayi A.S., Turkey's largest steel manufacturer and exporter. In addition, Aslan family is involved in different sectors such as tourism, construction and energy.