New regulations allow cooperatives to manage Port Exit Document applications for non-ordinance vessels, enhancing efficiency in maritime procedures.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure is implementing a new application for the Port Exit Document (PED) procedures for non-ordinance maritime vessels. With the new regulation, if boat owners grant authorization, applications for the port exit document can be directly carried out by the cooperatives they are members of through the Port Management Information System (PMIS).
New Authority for Cooperatives in Port Exit Procedures
The General Directorate of Maritime Affairs of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has completed a new application aimed at facilitating the port exit document procedures.
According to the regulation announced by the İMEAK Chamber of Shipping with circular number 831 dated November 2, 2026, the procedures for the Port Exit Document of vessels not subject to ordinance can now be carried out through the cooperatives authorized by the boat owners.
In a letter dated October 28, 2026, with reference number 4077433, the Ministry reported that technical studies have been completed to allow the port exit document procedures without an ordinance to be conducted by legal entities such as cooperatives to which the maritime vessels belong.
Cooperatives to be Registered in the PMIS
Cooperatives wishing to benefit from the new application must first apply to their affiliated Port Authorities to register in the PMIS system.
Each cooperative will designate two users to carry out the port exit document procedures. These users will be defined in the system by the relevant Regional or Port Authorities.
Thus, authorized cooperative officials will be able to electronically submit port exit document applications for the maritime vessels belonging to their members.
Written Approval from Boat Owners is Mandatory
One of the most important conditions of the regulation is that boat owners must explicitly grant authority to the cooperatives.
Boat owners who accept that the port exit document procedures will be conducted by the cooperative must fill out the commitment letter prepared by the Ministry and submit it to the relevant Port Authority.
After the commitment letter is submitted, the relevant maritime vessel will be associated with the cooperative authorized in the PMIS by the Port Authority.
No port exit document procedures can be conducted by cooperative officials for the maritime vessels of boat owners who do not submit a commitment letter.
Processing Intensity at Port Authorities May Decrease
The new application is expected to contribute to the more orderly execution of port exit document applications, especially in cooperatives with a large number of maritime vessels.
The ability of cooperatives to make electronic applications on behalf of their members may facilitate the tracking of transactions by boat owners and reduce the application intensity experienced at Port Authorities.
However, the regulation does not eliminate the document issuance and inspection authority of the Port Authorities. The change allows for the submission of port exit document applications without an ordinance through cooperatives.
User Guides Prepared for the Application
The General Directorate of Maritime Affairs has prepared a Port Authority User Guide and a Cooperative User Guide for the implementation of the new system.
It was requested that the relevant cooperatives be informed and that the user guides be delivered to the cooperatives by the İMEAK Chamber of Shipping.
With the new application, while the scope of administrative services offered by cooperatives to their members is expanded, the possibility of electronic applications for port exit document procedures will also be increased.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
