History of the Mersin Port, which is one of the most important ports in Turkey, is not very old. The first wharf in Mersin, which was a village until mid-nineteenth century was built in 1850's. Mersin Port and city that begun develop rapidly after 1950's, became gate of Vilayet of Adana which is open abroad. Mersin Port had got which commercial potential increase in time, became one of the most important port of Ottoman Empire that was visited by the international ships which traded in Mediterranean. Cultivating Cukurova, which is the biggest and most fertile plain of Turkey, more actively in terms of agricultural in second half of nineteenth century is one of the most important reasons of development of Mersin Port. In addition to the present road possibility that provides connection between the port and its hinterland, the railway was put into service in 1886 speed up this progress very much also. In this article, evolution and trade potential of Mersin Port will be emphasized. Especially, according to British consular reports, some statistical information will be given about ships coming to Mersin between 1870 and 1907, the country that they came from, the products which were exported to and imported from Mersin Port and amount and prizes of these products. So, trade potential of Mersin Port which appeared in last period of Ottoman Empire and developed rapidly will be revealed by comparing with other important Ottoman Ports