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Exclusive Interview-Binali Yıldırım
www.seanews.com.tr
37
Marinas
are very
important
areas of social
attraction
SeaNews: We know your efforts
to improve amateur yachting.
However, yacht ownership and
especially finding an afford-
able place in a marina for
middle-waged citizens does not
yet seem very possible. Do you
have plans on this matter?
Binali Yıldırım:
This is one of the
areas in which we made the most prog-
ress since our Government took office in
2002, compared with the status in 2002.
One of the most neglected issues in the
past is, unfortunately, the yacht mooring
capacity.
A number of projects to increase
the number and capacity of the mari-
nas brought to life by Build-Operate-
Transfer model and the total capacity
increased to around 16,000 from 7000.
With the completion of planned and
ongoing investments this capacity will
reach to 25,000. We believe that the
capacity which Turkey should have is
50,000.
The marinas that we build are not only
marine tourism and water sports areas;
they also contribute to the development
of the harbor and the coastal cities and
by creating attraction they serve as areas
of social life.
We will
further
facilitate
reaching to
sea
However, we in parallel with the mari-
nas, we carry out a range of projects
which will facilitate to increase the num-
ber of slips, to build ramps in all coastal
cities that enable sea lovers to slip their
boats to the sea, and facilitating the
access to and enjoyment of the sea.
SeaNews: In this issue our
cover feature will be the topic
of the future of our maritime
sector. How would you forecast
the maritime sector in 2023?
Turkish flag is in the white list,
we are a Council member of
IMO; Turkish Lloyd continues
to work on IACS recognition.
Shall we be a better maritime
country in the near future?
Turkey is a
maritime
country
Binali Yıldırım:
What we need to do
is to improve and glorify our maritime.
In the 100th anniversary of the Republic,
until the year 2023, by further improving
existing practices, not only complying
with the rules but also taking part in cre-
ation of the rules; having a word to say
in all decisions taken in maritime field;
taking the safety of life and property
and environment as the first priority and,
accordingly, being a leading country
which others takes as example as one
of the primary maritime nations of the
world. This is Turkey’s aim…
We have the necessary administrative,
technical and operational knowledge and
know-how and with the innovative steps
we take,Turkey will continue towards
the better and to the best.
We will
become a
member of
Paris MOU
One of our primary goals on the way
to 2023, is the membership of Turkey
to Paris MOU. Turkey, as a Paris
MOU member, could provide a great
contribution to maritime safety in the
region. We could completely get rid of
so-called sub-standard ships. Turkey, as
a single country, inspects approximately
2,500 foreign-flagged vessels per year.
The number of inspected ships in the
Paris MOU region of 27 members is
about 15,000 per year. So Turkey
as a single country has capacity and
equipment to carry out 15% of all
inspections that Paris MOU member
States do.
We
volunteered
for IMO
VIMSAS
inspections
I would like to point out another
issue which we can call as an impor-
tant progress. Our Ministry, as Maritime
Administration of Turkey, volunteered
for IMO VIMSAS (voluntary) inspec-
tion mechanism. In September 2013 a
technical committee designated by the
IMO will visit our Administration to
check compliance with international
norms. This is a process that will be
compulsory for all Member States after
2015. We applied for this inspection on a
voluntary basis in advance.
Our colleagues carrying out the neces-
sary preparatory work. This is a remark-
able project in terms of reflecting the
self-confidence of our Ministry.
SeaNews: Seanews Magazine
hits the road with the aim of
introducing Turkish maritime
to the international arena; as
well as introducing the Inter-
national maritime issues to
Turkish agenda. Our starting
point here is the international
nature of the sector and due to
that fact, necessity of a mari-
time magazine to provide this
connection. How would you
comment on this?
Binali Yıldırım:
Your observation is
very true. You can contribute to fill the
gap in terms of publications in the mari-
time environment and with this hope, I
wish you every success in your work.
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