Bosphorus Shipbrokers’ Dinner 2026: More exclusive, stronger

Türkeş underlined that the organization next year will have a much more exclusive guest list, stating, "We aim to gather the sector's leaders under one roof. Furthermore, we aim to advance both the guest experience and the organization's international visibility by using digitalization more intensely in communication and organizational processes. In short, we are confident that the 2026 Bosphorus Shipbrokers’ Dinner will further strengthen its claim to be the global showcase of Turkish maritime."

Our guest list is much more exclusive

"The most important feature that will distinguish the 7th Bosphorus Shipbrokers’ Dinner event, which we will hold on June 26, 2026, from previous years will be our focus on quality beyond the number of participants.

We aim to bring the sector’s leaders together under one roof with a more exclusive, more focused guest list. Furthermore, we aim to advance both the guest experience and the organization's international visibility by using digitalization more intensely in communication and organizational processes. In short, we are confident that the 2026 Bosphorus Shipbrokers’ Dinner will further strengthen its claim to be the global showcase of Turkish maritime," said Onur Türkeş, President of the Shipbrokers’ Association, making the following assessment for the record number of participants in the organization in 2024: This high level of participation demonstrated that Turkey is a center of attraction in maritime. Foreign participants witnessed our country’s logistical strength and strategic importance up close. This contributed not only to prestige but also to collaborations, new commercial opportunities, and increased confidence in Turkey.

It has become the sector's joint project

Emphasizing that this organization has ceased to be merely an association event and has become the sector's joint project, Türkeş explained, "The strong support of our Chamber of Shipping (IMEAK DTO) and our sponsors reinforces the culture of acting together. Our maritime stakeholders lay the foundations for new collaborations by meeting around the same table. For example, the training projects we initiated as an association may seem to only benefit a few young people in the short term. However, when these young people guide the profession, they create lasting values for our entire sector. Similarly, projects for environmental awareness may seem like small steps today, but they offer major gains that will contribute to the sustainability of Turkish maritime in the future."

Networking is the key to success in maritime

"This organization puts Istanbul and Turkey on the global maritime calendar. Foreign guests who attend experience both the professionalism of our sector and Turkish hospitality. This creates a PR power that directly reflects on our country's brand value," continued Türkeş, adding, "Networking is the key to success in maritime. The Bosphorus Shipbrokers’ Dinner brings professionals from different corners of the world together in Istanbul. In the coming years, we plan to organize events in various countries that are maritime centers to further expand these networks."

"The brokerage profession is no longer a business conducted solely via phone and email; with technology, it has become much faster, more transparent, and data-driven. To increase the interest of young people, we are creating training, basic brokerage certificate programs, seminars, and CV pools within the association. Their qualified, well-equipped participation in the sector is vital for us," said Türkeş, listing the important steps that need to be taken for the sector as follows: One of our biggest needs is to rapidly make progress in the areas of sustainability and digitalization. Increasing the trained workforce, complying with international standards, and bringing the younger generation into the sector are also very critical. If we focus on these three areas, we will accelerate the transformation of Turkish maritime from being a regional power to a global hub.

We aim to leave a greener Turkey for future generations

Finally, Türkeş also touched upon climate change and environmental issues, which are the main items on the global maritime sector's agenda, commenting, "Maritime is a sector that is directly intertwined with the environment. The IMO’s carbon reduction targets are reshaping our sector. As an association, we are also trying to raise awareness on this issue by organizing panels and collaborating with universities. We attach importance to both raising awareness and taking concrete steps by transforming our environmental responsibility into concrete actions with projects such as the 'Shipbrokers’ Association Memorial Forest,' which is one of the most meaningful projects for us. We aim to leave a greener Turkey for future generations. Our belief is that we must keep environmental sensitivity at the center to prepare Turkish maritime for a sustainable future."