KOSDER's 9th Traditional Iftar brought together maritime leaders on March 3, 2026, fostering collaboration and dialogue within the industry.
The 9th Traditional Iftar Program of the Association of Short Sea Shipowners and Operators, known as KOSDER, was held with wide participation from the maritime sector. The event took place on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at the Sheraton Grand Ataşehir Hotel in Istanbul, bringing together representatives of the sector under one roof.
Before the iftar program, a closed-door consultation meeting was held for association members. The meeting began with an opening speech by KOSDER Board Chairman Neslihan Torlak, who provided a brief assessment of the association's role in the sector and the importance of the gathering.
During the meeting, the Director General of Maritime Affairs, Ünal Baylan, presented a general framework for shipowners, discussing the issues on the sector's agenda and answering questions from the members.
As the iftar time approached, the guests gathered in the grand hall. The program included not only KOSDER members but also high-level officials from the maritime administration, board members of the İMEAK Chamber of Shipping, representatives of non-governmental organizations, academics, sponsoring companies, and industry stakeholders.
The program began with a ney (reed flute) performance before iftar. Following this, Neslihan Torlak took the podium and addressed the effects of global and regional conflicts on trade and maritime activities. Torlak also shared updates on the association's agenda and highlighted the upcoming Shiproute 26 organization.
After Torlak's speech, Director General of Maritime Affairs Ünal Baylan provided evaluations on Turkey's maritime policies and current developments in the sector.
The traditional iftar program of KOSDER, noted for its warm atmosphere and high participation, has been remembered as an important gathering that brought together different segments of the maritime sector. The event stood out as a productive evening for exchanging ideas and fostering solidarity among industry representatives.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
