We continue our journey with the goal of becoming a global brand

"We anticipate that within the next five years, Victoria River&Sea Transport will be one of the top five firms that comes to mind when seeking logistics solutions in the Black Sea and Mediterranean corridors," says General Manager Victoria Kıran, emphasizing that her main goal from the very beginning has been to create a brand sought after not only in the local but also in the international market.

We would like to start by getting to know you, followed by information about your company, which is advancing with successful performance.

"After working in various companies and positions, I founded my own business in the field of ship chartering and agency—where I specialized—with the dream of entering the ranks of Türkiye's leading maritime companies, and I have brought it to where it is today. Of course, I had big goals when I established Victoria River&Sea Transport in 2017; it was an ambitious decision in itself. However, such rapid and stable growth was only possible through the combination of our faith in the sector, my 30 years of experience, and most importantly, our 24/7 service philosophy."

"Maritime is not just a job for me; it is my strong connection to life. Since my university education, I have gained deep experience in various areas of seafaring, from ship agency to brokerage. As Türkiye plays an active role in maritime trade along the Black Sea and Mediterranean axes, my involvement in important platforms in Türkiye such as the Ship Brokers Association (Gemi Brokerleri Derneği) and WISTA further solidifies my presence in the sector. My goal from the start was to create a reliable brand, sought after not only in the local but also in the international market."

What are the main areas of activity for Victoria River&Sea Transport? And which service is the most in demand?

"As Victoria River&Sea Transport, we try to address almost every need in the maritime sector, but we are careful not to overstep the boundaries of the areas we specialize in. Thanks to our team, which is known both domestically and internationally for its experience and professionalism, the areas where we provide the most intensive services are: ship chartering, dry cargo brokerage, and port-straits-shipyard agency. In short, I would like to summarize it as follows:

• International Dry Cargo Transportation: Transport of bulk and packaged dry cargoes such as grain, fertilizer, and steel products in the Black Sea, Mediterranean, and Marmara regions.
• Ship Brokerage and Chartering: Organizing the most suitable vessel and the most competitive freight agreements for our customers.

"Currently, the most in-demand area, due to both global food security and our geographical expertise, is the transportation of international grain cargoes. Our specialization in grain transportation makes us stand out in this field."

Salvage and towing operations are among the most critical services in the maritime sector. What was the most challenging task you faced in this area?

"Salvage operations are the highest-risk aspect of seafaring. The most challenging task we faced was intervening in a vessel drifting due to engine failure in the Black Sea during severe winter conditions, with a high risk of running aground.

The Black Sea, Türkiye, and Ukraine triangle is a highly strategic region for sea transport. What kind of logistics strategy do you follow in this area?

"Our strategy is to ensure full compliance with international maritime rules and regional sanctions, and to always prioritize operational safety. We keep 'Plan B's' constantly ready in operational planning, accounting for factors such as weather conditions and regional restrictions. We want to prove our own reliability through our references and expect the same reliability and respect from our domestic and foreign business partners we receive and provide services to. I believe this should be the fundamental strategy for working in a geographically constrained but resource-rich area like the Black Sea region." 

Your goal of becoming a 'sought-after firm' in the international market is quite ambitious. What kind of investments are you making to achieve this goal?

"Becoming a 'sought-after firm' in the international market is possible not just by being large, but by possessing differentiating expertise. At the core of our service quality is our competent and always solution-oriented team. We recruit professionals with industry experience and the ability to work with different cultures and nations. Being 'sought-after' requires providing uninterrupted service at high standards. We meticulously select all the stakeholders from whom we receive services and pay attention to monitoring their performance. In this way, we eliminate all obstacles for the vessels and shipowners we serve to receive the fastest and most seamless service."

You say, 'We build long-term relationships based on trust with customers.' In this context, how does providing service with a principle of full transparency make a difference in your customer relations?

"I believe the principle of full transparency is the foundation, not just a part, of mutual trust. When the customer knows the entire process, good or bad, they do not wonder 'what if?'. We instantly inform them of a problem and offer our solutions. This prevents panic during crises. Thus, you eliminate suspicion at the very beginning of the commercial relationship. Additionally, in a transparent commercial relationship, when you face a problem, instead of looking for who made the mistake, you focus on how to reach a solution. Maritime is a sector where surprises can happen at any moment."

What are your growth targets for 2025? Furthermore, do you plan any new investments in line with these targets?

"Frankly, I think we have exceeded the growth level I set for 2025. As you know, the pandemic was a material and spiritual disaster for both our country and globally. During this challenging period between 2020 and 2023, many companies in our sector, even some envied shipowner companies, faced dangers like closure, takeover, or downsizing. However, I laid the groundwork of this journey, which I started alone in 2017, so solidly that Victoria River & Sea Transport has now become a huge family with approximately 10 employees both domestically and internationally.

"Our main goal for 2025 is to increase our capacity. Currently, we aim to grow our market share in the Black Sea and Mediterranean, maintaining our strong position in dry cargo and especially grain transportation in these regions and Europe. Furthermore, incorporating vessels with greater tonnage capacity or entering into long-term charter agreements is another one of our goals. We also aim to strengthen our brokerage and operations teams in line with the new dynamics of international trade." 

Where do you see Victoria River&Sea Transport in the next 5 years?

"We anticipate that within the next 5 years, Victoria River&Sea Transport will be one of the top five firms that comes to mind when seeking logistics solutions in the Black Sea and Mediterranean corridors."

Finally, in the maritime sector, known for its male-dominated structure, I believe that a woman business person's presence is not just an individual achievement but also a transformative process that inspires the sector. As part of this transformation, what can you say about the different perspectives and contributions women bring to the business culture?

"Maritime is a challenging but magnificent field. I believe that with the entry of women into this sector, a very valuable and balanced perspective has been brought to the business culture. It is not only an individual success for women but a force that has fundamentally changed and continues to change the sector. I believe different perspectives have come to our sector thanks to women. Being a source of inspiration for young girls to see maritime as a career option is one of my biggest motivations."

Source: 7deniz Magazine