Turkish Lloyd Foundation now classifies 583 ships and is authorized for 21 flag states, emphasizing its role in maritime security.
The number of ships classified by the Turkish Lloyd Foundation, a full member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), has risen to 583, while the number of flag states it is authorized for has increased to 21.
The strategic importance of maritime routes in global trade has once again come to the forefront with recent geopolitical developments. Particularly, the security risks around the Strait of Hormuz have highlighted the critical role of maritime transportation and ship safety standards in the global economy.
Approximately 90% of world trade occurs via the seas, and classification societies that determine ship safety and technical standards are at the center of the maritime system. Turkey's classification society, Turkish Lloyd, has taken its place in this global structure as a full member of IACS. Within IACS, which plays a significant role in setting technical standards in world shipping, there are only 12 classification societies. Turkish Lloyd's full membership in this structure has enabled the institution to take on a more active role within the international technical system.
Oral Erdoğan, Chairman of the Board of the Turkish Lloyd Foundation, stated that IACS membership is an important turning point for the institution, saying, 'With IACS membership, Turkish Lloyd has become one of the actors responsible at the table where the rules of world shipping are written.'
Erdoğan also mentioned that Turkish Lloyd engineers are actively involved in technical panels where new classification rules are being prepared.
Bülent Alnıaçık, Chairman of the Board of Turkish Lloyd Conformity Assessment Services Inc., drew attention to the fact that compliance with international standards and reliability are decisive in shipowners' preferences, stating that a qualified technical team and strong inspection infrastructure have been effective in this growth.
IACS Council Member Lütfü Savaşkan expressed that the visibility of Turkish Lloyd within the international classification system is increasing and that it is taking on a more active role in the global technical network.
The growth performance demonstrated by Turkish Lloyd in recent years is also noteworthy. Following its IACS membership, the institution has seen the transfer of 120 ship classifications. With the addition of major ship registries such as the Bahamas and the Marshall Islands, the number of flag states it is authorized for has reached 21. The number of classified ships has risen to 583, while the total tonnage has increased to 1 million 839 thousand gross tons.
The institution's net sales have increased by approximately 200% in dollar terms over the past three years. Turkish Lloyd operates not only in commercial shipping but also in defense and energy projects. The institution is currently undertaking technical responsibilities in 60 commercial and 45 military shipbuilding projects.
Turkish Lloyd is involved in projects such as the National Aircraft Carrier Project, TCG Anadolu, and MİLGEM, and it also conducts technical inspection activities in strategic energy projects like the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant and the Sakarya Gas Field. As the maritime sector undergoes transformation in areas such as alternative fuels, decarbonization, and digitalization, Turkish Lloyd is intensifying its efforts in these fields.
The international operational network of Turkish Lloyd continues to grow. The institution has opened a new office in Singapore and developed technical collaborations with Azerbaijan and China. Projects carried out in countries such as Malaysia, Pakistan, Qatar, Turkmenistan, Nigeria, Ukraine, and Portugal are expanding the international technical service network.
As part of certification activities in the maritime sector, Turkish Lloyd completed 2,125 projects and signed 2,424 new contracts in 2025. The 100th meeting of the IACS General Policy Group, which will be held in Istanbul, is also expected to enhance Turkish Lloyd's international visibility. During the meetings scheduled for April 21-23, representatives from leading classification societies around the world will discuss maritime safety, new technologies, and global standards.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
