İMEAK DTO renews its support for maritime schools, enhancing education and skills for the industry's future workforce over the next five years.
The December Assembly Meeting of the Istanbul and Marmara, Aegean, Mediterranean, and Black Sea Regions (İMEAK) Chamber of Shipping took place on Thursday, December 25, 2025, with Deputy Minister of National Education M. Bilal Macit in attendance.
During the meeting, chaired by Assembly President Başaran Bayrak in the Chamber Assembly Hall, a Vocational Education Cooperation Protocol was signed between the Ministry of National Education and the İMEAK Chamber of Shipping.
Initially launched in 2020 with four maritime vocational high schools, the protocol was expanded to nine schools in 2022 and has now been renewed for five years, increasing the number of supported schools to ten. The İMEAK Chamber of Shipping will support the following Maritime Vocational and Technical Anatolian High Schools: Istanbul Beşiktaş Ziya Kalkavan, Pendik Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa, İzmir Çeşme Ulusoy, Rize Hasan Kemal Yardımcı, Çayeli Ahmet Hamdi İshakoğlu, Ordu Fatsa Atatürk, Kastamonu İnebolu Piri Reis, Antalya Konyaaltı Fettah Tamince, Van Piri Reis, and Yalova Altınova Shipyard Entrepreneurs Inc.
Additionally, the 2026 Central and Branch Budgets were presented for approval by the Assembly members during the meeting, and the budget was unanimously accepted.
Tamer Kıran, Chairman of the Board of the İMEAK Chamber of Shipping, emphasized that the development of the maritime sector should be viewed not only from an economic perspective but also through the lenses of human resources, education, and sustainability. He noted that the renewed protocol is a significant step in aligning the education system with the sector's needs.
Kıran highlighted that the maritime industry is a strategic field requiring high technology, international competitiveness, and a qualified workforce, stressing the importance of well-trained young individuals equipped with the necessary skills for a robust maritime sector.
He stated that the renewed protocol aims to impart not only technical qualifications but also maritime culture, professional ethics, and customs to the youth, contributing to enhanced simulation training and technology usage in the digitalization and green transformation processes.
Kıran also announced that a protocol will be signed between the İMEAK Chamber of Shipping and Piri Reis University, which will host the "Istanbul's Maritime High Schools Compete" Vocational Skills Competition in 2026, involving all maritime high schools in Istanbul.
In his speech, Kıran expressed gratitude to Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin for his visionary approach that integrates vocational education with the business world, fostering strong collaborations. He also thanked Deputy Minister M. Bilal Macit, Director General of Vocational and Technical Education Salih Kaygusuz, and other Ministry officials who contributed to the preparation of the protocol.
Following the speeches, the Vocational Education Cooperation Protocol was signed by Deputy Minister M. Bilal Macit and Tamer Kıran, with a commemorative gift presented to Macit.
Additionally, Sustainability Commission Chairman Serdar Akdemir informed Assembly members about the 2nd Green Transformation Summit in Maritime, held at Piri Reis University on December 24, 2025.
