Prof. Dr. Oral Erdoğan discusses maritime safety, digital transformation, and decarbonization at SAFEPASSAGE FORUM 2026 in Baku.
TÜRK LOYDU PARTICIPATES IN A PANEL SHAPING THE FUTURE OF MARITIME AT SAFEPASSAGE FORUM 2026
Prof. Dr. Oral Erdoğan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Türk Loydu Foundation, participated as a panelist in an international panel held within the scope of SAFEPASSAGE FORUM 2026 in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
During the panel, which addressed key topics shaping the future of the maritime industry including maritime safety, digital transformation, decarbonization, and autonomous ships Prof. Dr. Oral Erdoğan shared his insights on the evolving role of classification societies and the future of maritime safety.
The panel was also attended by Mustafa Zorlu, Treasurer of the Türk Loydu Foundation, and Hüseyin Doğar, General Manager of Türk Loydu Conformity Assessment Services Inc.
In the opening of his speech, Prof. Dr. Oral Erdoğan highlighted the transformation of risk management in the banking sector as an example, emphasizing that the maritime industry should adopt a similar approach:
"The banking sector has learned valuable lessons from past crises. Today, banking risks can be measured, monitored, and managed in real time, allowing timely interventions when necessary. The same approach should be adopted in the maritime industry. Identifying, measuring, continuously monitoring, and effectively managing all risks related to ships will form the foundation for advancing maritime safety to higher levels. This objective can only be achieved through the joint efforts of shipowners, operators, shipyards, classification societies, insurance companies, and maritime administrations."
Prof. Dr. Erdoğan also addressed the major challenges that classification societies are expected to face in the coming years, noting that the industry's decarbonization and digitalization processes are rapidly transforming classification rules. He emphasized that ensuring the safe implementation of alternative fuel systems, artificial intelligence-based software, cybersecurity solutions, and carbon capture technologies has become one of the primary responsibilities of classification societies.
Highlighting that classification societies support innovation without compromising safety, Prof. Dr. Erdoğan stated that these organizations are no longer merely rule-making bodies. Instead, they now conduct risk assessments, perform engineering evaluations, and facilitate the safe implementation of emerging technologies through simulations and pilot projects.
Prof. Dr. Erdoğan also underscored the importance of cooperation with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and flag administrations, noting that classification societies contribute their technical expertise to the development of international regulations. He added that they play an active role in preparing new regulatory frameworks, particularly the Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Code.
Looking ahead to 2030, Prof. Dr. Erdoğan identified alternative fuel systems, carbon capture technologies, artificial intelligence applications, cybersecurity, and continuous condition monitoring systems as the technologies that will have the greatest impact on classification rules. He explained that advances in sensor technologies, digital twins, remote surveys, and data analytics are enabling the transition from traditional periodic inspections to continuous monitoring, significantly enhancing maritime safety.
Commenting on the development of autonomous and remotely operated ships, Prof. Dr. Erdoğan stated that classification societies have adopted a comprehensive certification approach covering not only ships themselves, but also remote control centers, communication infrastructure, software reliability, cybersecurity systems, and emergency response scenarios. He emphasized that the safety level of these technologies should be at least equivalent to, and preferably higher than, that of conventional ships.
By actively participating in international platforms, Türk Loydu continues to contribute to the maritime sector's safe, sustainable, and technological transformation while creating value on a global scale through its technical expertise and extensive industry knowledge.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
