Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Speaking at the opening of the meeting TOBB Board Vice President Halim Mete pointed out that the maritime sector is suffering due to the slowdown of the economy globally, that the global trade volume has regressed for the first time since 2009.

Reporting that the global trade volume has shrunk by 14% in 2015 compared to the previous year, Mete said, “We are trying to stay afloat despite costs per ship exceeding profit per ship many times over. The value of ships is decreasing. Many companies are withdrawing their ships from the market and putting them on standby. Our ship numbers are negatively impacted by this.”

Mete reported that Turkey’s ship and yacht exports have decreased by 19% in comparison to the previous year and stated that it is expected that the global economic growth will surpass that of 2015 in 2016 and that global trade volume and export are also expected to increase.

Drawing attention to the need to preserve the vitality of the maritime sector, Mete said:

“If we fail to do so, our increased trade volume will only benefit foreign transportation companies. Just last year, we paid 5bn USD in freight to foreign companies. Why should this amount be lost each year? Why shouldn’t it be used by domestic firms to the benefit of the country’s economy? If our goal is to attain 500bn USD exports volume, we must develop our maritime sector accordingly. We must increase the capacity of our shipyards, maritime transportation and ports.

Customs and Commerce Minister Bülent Tüfenkci stated that over 90% of all international trade is conducted via maritime shipping and said, “Our country needs to take a larger share of this pie. In order to reach our goal, we must further develop and increase the capacity of our shipyards, maritime transportation and ports together.”

Transportation, Communication and Maritime Affairs Minister Binali Yıldırım stated that the supply is twice the demand in the maritime sector and said, “None of transportation companies are earning the freight income they deserve.”