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Exclusive Interview-Binali Yıldırım
www.seanews.com.tr
31
lion vehicles were transported by sea
in domestic voyages; and this number
increased to 10,7 million in 2012, which
meant 97% increase in ratio.
Amount of cargo handled in domestic
sea transportation was 28.8 million tons
in 2002, there is an increase of 63% in
2012 to 46.9 million tons.
Our ports handled 190 million tons of
cargo in 2002, with an increase of 104%
in 2012, it’s exceeded 387 million tons.
The amount of containers handled in
our ports was 1.9 million TEUs in 2002,
with an increase of 268% in 2012, it
reached to approximately 7.2 million
TEU.
Export shipments by the sea was 43
million tons in 2002, with an increase of
112% in 2012, it reached to 91 million
tons.
At imports side, In 2002, 90 million
tons of cargo imported through maritime
transportation, and in 2012 we witnessed
an increase of 114% which meant 192
million tons.
In this regard, the total foreign trade
maritime shipments were 133 million
tons in 2002, with an increase of 114% it
exceeded 283 million tons in 2012.
Foreign trade goods carried by sea
in 2002 was 40.7 billion USD, and this
amount reached to $ 207 billion in 2012;
which meant an increase of 408%.
Transit shipments was 28.5 million
tons in 2012; with an increase of 99% in
2012 it reached to 56 million tons.
In 2002, 821 cruise ships called at
our harbours; in 2012; with an increase
of 105%; our ports hosted 1685 cruise
ships.
The number of cruise passengers
visiting harbors was 332 thousand in
2002, with increase of 541% in 2012, it
exceeded $ 2 million.
Turkey, visited by more than 14 mil-
lion passengers through 10 harbors,
ranks the 4th position in cruise tourism
at Mediterranean basin after the Spain,
Italy, and Greece.
Overseas regular Ro-Ro lines trans-
ported 200 thousand vehicles in 2002,
with an increase of 102% in 2012, this
figure has exceeded 400 thousand.
Turkish-owned fleet consisted of 9.3
million DWT in 2002, and in 2012,
Turkey ranked as 15th in the world with a
fleet capacity of 24.2 million DWT. That
means 160% increase compared to 2002.
SeaNews: How is the position
of Turkish maritime sector at
the related international fora?
How do you comment on the
activities at the International
Maritime Organization and
other related international
organizations?
Binali Yıldırım:
The representation
of maritime industry in the international
fora improved in parallel with economic
development and growth of the sec-
tor. Firstly, improvements at the quality
and growth improved the reputation of
Turkish Shipping. This reputation is felt
in all our international activities. Turkish
Flag is in the White List and Captains of
Turkish Flagged ships are no more afraid
of Port State Controls due to flag-related
concerns. Turkey is an active Flag-State
and well-heard, listened and consulted
and contributing country at all interna-
tional organizations, and is participating
in international studies.
We
accelerated
process
to accept
International
Conventions
In the last few years, Turkey became
party at a number of International
Conventions; and, the process of pre-
viously partied Conventions has been
accelerated as well; therefore approv-
als of our Parliament started to come
one after the other. Conventions such
as Ship Recycling Convention, Ballast
Water Management, MARPOL Annex
6, Bunker Convention indicates the high
level of standards that Turkish Maritime
Legislation has reached.
Our work to become party of Maritime
Labor Convention (MLC) which will
enter force on August 2013 is ongoing
and we are cooperating with Ministry of
Labor and Social Security on this matter.
All these efforts improves the image and
reputation of Turkey both in IMO and
other international organizations and at
the world markets. The factors played
role in this achievement were growth of
the sector, built ports and harbors, mari-
nas, increasing the number and capacity
of fishing boat shelters. Turkish seamen
are in the white list of STCWConvention
and all of the certificates, competencies
we endorsed are recognized at EU states.
Were almost exactly aligned with EU
legislation. Turkey effectively and effi-
ciently participate in all the world’s prob-
lems, such as the fight against piracy.
Turkey serves
to the world.
Establishing Emergency Response
Centers; installing advanced technol-
ogy projects to protect the life, property
and environment at sea; VTS systems,
advanced communications services all
contributes to the safety of navigation
at sea.
Turkish Flag
is in the Paris
MOUWhite
List
As a result of steady work and appro-
priate steps of our Administration;
Turkish Flagged-ships which were in the
Black List Paris Memorandum on Port
State Control inspections with a inspes-
tion/detention ratio of 25%; achieved
a gradual improvement in 2003, 2004
and 2005; inspection/detention ratio
decreased by approximately 3.5-fold;
and finally upgraded to grey list first in
2006 and in White List first time in 2008.
From this date, the position of the
Turkish flag in the White List is main-
tained by improving, and is still in the
Paris MOU White List. Likewise, we
observed serious decrease in the deten-
tions at Tokyo MOU, the Mediterranean
MOU, the Black Sea MOU, USCG
inspections. Turkey is a founding mem-
ber of the Mediterranean and Black Sea
MOUs.
Inspection of Turkish-flagged ves-
sels on foreign ports is not a one-sided
story; Turkey seriously inspecting all
ships that calling her ports. . Turkish
Maritime Administration undersigned
the Mediterranean Memorandum
of Understanding in 1997, followed