Yüksel Yıldırım: Africa and New Trade Corridors Are the Opportunity of the Future

Yüksel Yıldırım made comprehensive remarks at the 5th Türkiye Maritime Summit, stating that the Turkish maritime industry has achieved significant success on a global scale, but now needs to move forward with a new vision and a national strategy.

Drawing attention to the geopolitical risks surrounding Türkiye, Yıldırım said that Iran, Iraq, Syria, and the Russia-Ukraine war have directly affected the maritime sector. He noted that during this period, Turkish shipowners learned to expand beyond a Black Sea-focused structure and operate in global markets.

"We have become the world's 11th largest merchant fleet. This is not an achievement to be underestimated," Yıldırım said, emphasizing that the Turkish maritime industry is not lagging behind the country's economy, but that its existing potential can be taken much further.

The State and the Industry Should Jointly Prepare a Roadmap for Maritime

Stating that maritime is not limited to ship ownership alone, Yıldırım noted that it is a vast ecosystem encompassing ports, shipbuilding, seafarers, logistics, and supporting industries.

Pointing out that Türkiye is surrounded by seas on three sides but has not been able to fully utilize this advantage, Yıldırım said that the public and private sectors should act together, adding:

"The Chamber of Shipping and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure need to sit down together with industry representatives and redefine Türkiye’s maritime strategy. We have the oil and we have the flour; now we need to make the halva."

Yıldırım stated that one of the biggest obstacles facing the Turkish maritime industry is access to financing, emphasizing that the tight conditions in the banking system are making investments more difficult.

MSC and CMA Are Buying the Future

Yıldırım said that global maritime companies are making long-term strategic investments and noted that they have been closely following the port and vessel investments of the world's largest container shipping companies.

Stating that MSC has recently begun quietly building the world's largest VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier) fleet, Yıldırım said that this carries an important message for the industry, adding:

"These companies see the future. They are acquiring the VLCCs on the market. We also need to read these signals carefully."

Yıldırım said that in recent years they have made investments in Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Africa, adding that Turkish businesspeople are encountering significant opportunities in global markets.

He stated that there is a high level of trust in Turkish companies in Africa, particularly highlighting major opportunities in shipbuilding, port operations, and infrastructure investments.

Logistics Will Shape the Future

Yıldırım said that the maritime industry is no longer limited to ship operations, noting that global companies are now focused on expanding their logistics networks.

Recalling that CMA CGM recently secured a major contract for FedEx's U.S. logistics operations, Yıldırım said this demonstrates that the future of the maritime industry lies in integrated logistics.

Concluding his speech, Yıldırım said that there are significant opportunities ahead for the Turkish maritime industry and added that the sector should no longer focus only on the present day, but should make plans with the next 20 to 30 years in mind.