We celebrate the 43rd anniversary of our Turkish Chamber of Shipping, the flagship of Turkish maritime affairs.

Turkish Chamber of Shipping’s journey, which began on August 26, 1982, with the initiative of 744 maritime traders, has continued to this day with ever-growing success.

Looking back on these 43 years, we see that our Chamber, from the very beginning, has played a pioneering role in advancing Turkish maritime affairs with its exemplary vision and mission. It has continuously evolved in step with the times, while never compromising its traditions, progressing as a proud and respected institution.

Our Chamber, where everyone in Turkiye whose livelihood comes from the sea has found a platform to express themselves, today ranks among the country’s largest chambers of commerce and industry with nearly 11,000 members. It continues to grow and add value. We are deeply grateful to all our past presidents and executives who have served our Chamber since its founding and contributed to bringing us to where we are today.

As the current administration of the Chamber of Shipping, while celebrating this 43-year journey, we are also fully aware of the great responsibility we carry during our term.

In recent years, global economic fluctuations, regional wars, tensions, and environmental pressures have drawn the maritime transportation sector into an increasingly complex and dynamic process. Climate change and its consequences have become major topics on the global agenda, leading to stricter environmental regulations in the maritime sector under international pressure. Our core objective is to manage this transformation effectively and build the future together with steady steps, ensuring that Turkish maritime adapts to the new global order and becomes more competitive on a global scale.

With its continuously expanding activities and institutional capacity, our Chamber dutifully fulfills its role as the main representative of the maritime sector. Through result-oriented initiatives, we do more than just identify and voice problems — we also work to propose and implement permanent solutions.

With these thoughts and sentiments, I respectfully commemorate all those who have rendered great service to Turkish maritime affairs, especially the founder of our Republic, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who deemed maritime a great national ideal for the Turkish people. I pray for mercy upon those who have passed away and wish health and happiness to those still with us. I wholeheartedly celebrate the 43rd anniversary of our Chamber of Shipping.

Tamer KIRAN
Chairman
Turkish Chamber of Shipping