Turkish shipbuilders seek to boost indigenous ratio

By Suleyman Coskun Bozyel

TEKIRDAG

Turkish shipbuilders are looking to boost the indigenous ratio in the shipbuilding industry above the existing 70 percent, a top trade group told Anadolu Agency on Friday.

Mehtap Karahalli Ozdemir, head of the Turkish Shipbuilders Association (GISBIR), said that Turkish shipyards are qualified to produce ships to order, with all necessary features, including military ships.

"Turkey has managed to become one of the world's leading shipbuilding countries," said Ozdemir.

Saying that maritime transportation is safer and cheaper than competing modes, Ozdemir added that Turkey's shipbuilding industry has proven itself on international markets, shown by how the industry has already taken large orders.

"In times of global climate change, the importance of maritime transportation is only growing," she said.

National ship project

Ozdemir said that due to the great success of the National Ship Project (MILGEM) -- Turkey's first indigenous warship program -- other military ships are being made in Turkey, paving the way for exports.

Turkey has carried out the first corvette-type design of a national military ship.

"We are now able to offer military ships to the world through interstate agreements," she added.

Ozdemir also said that work is being carried on the largest military ship -- 230 meters long -- of the Turkish fleet.

The MILGEM project was realized with over 65 percent domestic industry participation, with more than 50 domestic companies contributing to the project.

The Turkish Shipbuilders Association was established in 1971 by shipyard owners in Istanbul.

As a Turkish non-governmental organization, the group is the sole representative of the Turkish ship and yacht building, repair, and maintenance industry. As of 2018, the association has 97 members, according to its website.