A Strong Transformation from Brokerage to Global Project Transportation

Standing out in the maritime industry with more than 20 years of experience, a strong operational network, and expertise in project transportation, Angora Shipping has today evolved beyond being merely a brokerage company into a strong maritime brand producing integrated solutions in ship management, project transportation, and shipowning activities.

The company’s Board Member Ömer Örtel spoke to 7Deniz about his journey in the maritime industry, the company’s transformation process, and its goals in the global market.

“My family is at the foundation of my journey to success”

Stating that he is married and a father of two daughters, Ömer Örtel says that the greatest source of motivation in both his private and professional life is his family. Graduating from the Maritime Business Administration Department of Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi in 1998, Örtel says he stepped into the sector during his student years in a ship operations department.

Emphasizing that the experiences he gained in different areas of the maritime and logistics sectors gave him a broad perspective, Örtel notes that he began actively operating in the logistics sector through the forwarding company of which he became a founding partner in 2002.

Örtel states that 2005 was one of the most important turning points in his career, explaining that together with his school friend and business partner Hakan Çendik, they laid the foundations of Angora Shipping.

“The pandemic process changed our strategy”

Stating that they initially operated mainly in brokerage and dry bulk transportation, Örtel says that the changing global dynamics during the pandemic reshaped the company’s business model.

Örtel emphasizes that especially after the container crisis, they focused more on heavy cargo and project transportation, and today the company’s greatest difference is its ability to manage highly sensitive and complex operations quickly, safely, and cost-effectively.

“We approach our customers’ needs not as a standard transportation operation, but as specially designed project-based solutions,” says Örtel, adding that technical analysis, time management, and operational planning play critical roles in every project.

Expertise in heavy cargo and project transportation

Örtel states that today they possess strong expertise in project cargo, heavy-lift, and out-of-gauge transportation, while also carrying out comprehensive operations in agency services, forwarding, container transportation, railway, and wagon transportation.

He notes that thanks to their extensive global network, they can take rapid action across different geographies, minimizing potential risks before they even arise and thereby providing maximum trust and operational efficiency to their customers.

“Renewable energy investments are growing the sector”

Pointing out that renewable energy investments have created significant momentum in the project transportation sector in recent years, Örtel says that wind turbines, power plants, industrial facility equipment, as well as hazardous and heavy cargo transportation are supporting global growth.

Emphasizing that geopolitical developments and changing trade routes have serious effects on the sector, Örtel states that increasing regulations are forcing companies to act more flexibly, quickly, and strategically.

“We place sustainability at the center of our operations”

Touching on sustainability and green logistics, Örtel states that they focus on reducing carbon emissions by selecting the most efficient routes and transportation models in project transportation operations.

He says they choose business partners according to environmental compliance standards, prioritize low-emission operational models, and attach importance to contributing to their customers’ sustainability goals. 

Strategic growth on the Indian Ocean route

Stating that they quickly shifted toward breakbulk transportation following the container crisis during the pandemic period, Örtel says they launched operations on the Indian Ocean route, where they had not previously operated, and that this route still actively continues today.

Örtel also notes that the company’s brokerage strength provides operational flexibility and emphasizes that the strong shipowner and charterer relationships they have built over the years offer significant advantages to customers.

Operational network extends from the Mediterranean to Africa

Örtel states that Angora Shipping’s operations are mainly concentrated on the Marmara, Black Sea, Adriatic, Continent, Mediterranean, and Middle East routes, while their project-based structure allows them to provide flexible solutions on a global scale, including Africa and the Far East.

He says that customer demands, project locations, port infrastructure, operational security, and cost optimization are the determining factors in route selection.

“We transported a factory from Türkiye to Brazil”

Örtel states that one of the most remarkable operations they have carried out to date was the transportation of a factory belonging to one of Türkiye’s leading industrial companies to Brazil, adding that this project represented a highly valuable experience for the company in terms of operational challenges and scope.

He also notes that power plant projects and IMO container transportation are among the important operations forming the basis of the contract-based business they conduct today.

“Breakbulk Europe is of strategic importance for us”

Emphasizing that international fairs are of great importance for the company, Örtel says that organizations such as Breakbulk Europe 2026 make significant contributions both in strengthening existing partnerships and creating new business opportunities.

Stating that direct contact with global customers and suppliers enables them to closely follow market dynamics, Örtel says they are proud not only to represent their company but also Türkiye at such organizations.

Örtel underlines that the relationships they establish with business partners from different geographies enrich the company culture, contributing to the production of more flexible, inclusive, and globally stronger solutions.