British News Agency

Balıkesir Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Akın has begun preparations to put the Akçay–Lesbos line into operation following the Ayvalık–Lesbos services. Having delivered on his promise of Lesbos services made at the “Great Balıkesir Gathering in Our First Year” launch event by introducing them last August under the name Balıkesir Sea Buses Inc. (BADO), Mayor Akın announced that the second phase, the Akçay services, will also be ready for the 2026 summer season.

In this context, Akçay Pier, which was declared a permanent sea border gate in 1954 and is still registered as active in the records of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Trade, has been transferred to the Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure.

The location of the customs building that will serve international maritime passenger transport from Akçay Pier was finalized following assessments carried out with the Ministry of Trade and the relevant institutions. The necessary permits for the area behind the facility were obtained, the customs building was designed, a construction permit was secured, and as of 24 November the construction process officially began.

Within the scope of the administrative structure for customs operations, Passport Police and Customs Protection personnel have been assigned, while the process of obtaining an operating license through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure is ongoing. At the same time, ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security Code) compliance procedures, which are mandatory for maritime security, are being carried out in parallel. The aim is to complete the process as soon as possible and open the services for public use.

BADO services, which are intended to develop fast and comfortable maritime transport in the Gulf of Edremit, are expected to make a significant contribution to regional tourism and to Balıkesir’s national and international visibility.