Maritime trade: Expanding merchant fleet elevating Turkey to global top 10

By Abbas Nazil
Turkey is on track to become one of the top 10 nations in global maritime trade, thanks to its rapidly growing merchant fleet and strategic position at the crossroads of major global shipping routes.
This was revealed by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu in an interview with Anadolu Agency, where he emphasized the government’s long-term investments and reforms in the maritime sector.
Uraloglu highlighted Turkey’s unique geographical advantage, being a peninsula that holds sovereignty over its territorial waters under the Cabotage Law of 1926.
He described shipping as not only the backbone of global trade but also a profession that is central to economic resilience and national development.
The minister expressed confidence in the skill of Turkish seafarers and the country’s potential to lead in global maritime affairs.
He stated that ongoing efforts are being made to support green transformation, innovation, and sustainable growth within the maritime industry.
These include advancing technological capabilities, shipbuilding expertise, and maritime education.
Uraloglu noted that over the past 23 years, Turkey has implemented substantial regulations to develop the maritime sector.
These include the introduction of real-time monitoring systems, enhanced safety inspections, and the construction of modern maritime infrastructure along the coasts.
Maritime safety and security are a national priority, the minister said, given their broader implications for food security and global energy supply chains.
Türkiye’s central role in global maritime logistics is reinforced by its control of the strategic Turkish Straits—the Bosphorus (Istanbul) and the Dardanelles (Canakkale).
These straits connect Europe and Asia and serve as vital arteries for international shipping. In just the first quarter of this year, over 9,300 ships carrying 141.1 million metric tons of cargo passed through the Istanbul Strait, while more than 10,600 vessels transited the Canakkale Strait with 225.5 million metric tons of cargo.
Turkey has also revised its maritime transit fee structure by increasing the “gold franc” value by 15 percent, now set at $5.83.
This adjustment, according to Uraloglu, will enhance the sustainability of the services provided along the straits.
In 2023 alone, the country collected approximately $227.4 million from 51,058 vessels that transited through these key waterways.
The Turkish-owned merchant fleet currently ranks 11th globally by deadweight tonnage, boasting over 2,150 ships and 51.9 million DWT in capacity.
The sector is also a major employer, with 85 shipyards across the country providing jobs for 94,000 individuals. With continued growth, Turkey’s fleet is expected to break into the global top 10.
Looking ahead, the upcoming 4th Turkey Maritime Summit in Istanbul aims to consolidate the country’s gains by bringing together domestic and international stakeholders.
The summit will focus on critical issues such as decarbonization of shipping, financial mechanisms for maritime ventures, global trends affecting the industry, and opportunities in cruise tourism.
Uraloglu stressed that the event is designed to build cooperation networks, foster innovation, and boost the global competitiveness of Turkey’s maritime sector.
This maritime advancement complements broader strategic developments, including Turkey’s deepening defense and security cooperation with countries such as Kazakhstan, further positioning the nation as a central player in global geopolitical and economic dynamics.