First Steps for the Turkey–Panama Maritime Agreement
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu evaluated Turkey’s maritime goals and international cooperation during the IMO General Assembly held in London.
Turkey’s Priority at the IMO General Assembly
Attending the 34th Session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) General Assembly in London, Minister Uraloğlu stated that Turkey’s priority this year is to be re-elected in “Category C.” He recalled that Turkey has been continuously elected since 1999 and emphasized that intensive lobbying efforts are underway, expressing confidence in being re-elected.
Meeting with the Netherlands on Autonomous Vehicles
During the meeting, Uraloğlu met with Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Robert Tieman. He noted that the Netherlands is conducting tests on autonomous vehicles in road, rail, and maritime transport, and highlighted the pride of having a Turkish company involved in these trials.
Bilateral Agreements with Oman
Uraloğlu announced that two agreements were signed with Oman during the session—one on maritime cooperation and another on the development of transport corridors. He underlined Oman’s strategic role as the southern gateway to the Middle East and stressed that global developments make diversification of transport networks essential.
Emphasis on Intermodal Integration
Reminding that 85% of world trade is carried out by sea, Uraloğlu pointed out that if cargo is not delivered to its final destination via road and rail, the process loses its meaning. He stressed the importance of addressing all dimensions of transportation together.
Maritime Agreement with Panama
Touching upon the planned maritime agreement between Turkey and Panama, Uraloğlu noted that Panama is one of the countries with the largest number of flagged vessels. He stated that the agreement would provide Turkish seafarers with easier working conditions worldwide and contribute to the growth of trade.
Visa Issues in EU Countries
Uraloğlu drew attention to the difficulties faced by ship personnel in obtaining visas from European Union countries, stressing that this directly affects maritime transport. He said the issue was raised during IMO discussions and emphasized that EU countries should facilitate the process.
Developments Expected
Expressing optimism about the outcome of the ongoing contacts, Uraloğlu stated that further developments are expected in the coming days.
