Turkish shipbuilding costs are 15-20% higher than competitors, posing challenges for the sector, says Yalova shipyard leader Şükrü Fazıl Uzun.
Şükrü Fazıl Uzun, Chairman of the Board of Yalova Altınova Shipyard Entrepreneurs Inc., stated that the Turkish shipbuilding sector is facing a cost disadvantage in international competition, revealing that shipbuilding costs in Turkey are 15-20% higher compared to rival countries.
Uzun made his assessments at the Yalova Economy Summit held on September 30, 2026, in the Yalova Machinery Specialized Organized Industrial Zone.
The shipbuilding sector was discussed at the Yalova Economy Summit.
The Yalova Economy Summit, organized by the EKONOMİ newspaper and hosted by the Yalova Machinery Specialized Organized Industrial Zone, brought together public institutions, industrialists, and sector representatives.
The opening speech of the summit was delivered by Yalova Governor Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Usta. The program addressed topics such as industrial investments, shipbuilding and repair-maintenance activities, and agricultural production.
In the session titled 'The New Center of Shipbuilding and Repair-Maintenance,' moderated by Şeref Oğuz, Chairman of the Editorial Board of EKONOMİ Newspaper, Şükrü Fazıl Uzun and Murat Bener, Director of Beşiktaş Shipyard, were the speakers.
'We were cheaper than Spain, but now we are more expensive.'
Şükrü Fazıl Uzun stated that shipbuilding costs in Turkey have exceeded those of rival countries by 15-20%.
Uzun noted that Turkish shipyards were able to build ships at lower costs compared to Spain three to four years ago, but today the cost advantage has been lost.
He pointed out that the need for working capital and difficulties in accessing financing are among the significant issues faced by shipyards.
He also mentioned that the decline in work efficiency has affected production processes.
'99.9% of the ships built in Yalova are exported.'
Sharing information about Yalova's position in Turkey's shipbuilding industry, Uzun stated that 99.9% of the ships built in the city are exported.
Uzun emphasized that Yalova is an important production center for the export of modern ships with high technology, noting that approximately 90% of ship exports in this field are carried out in the region.
Murat Bener: Turkey ranks second in ship repair and maintenance.
Speaking in the same session, Murat Bener, Director of Beşiktaş Shipyard, stated that Turkey ranks second in the world for ship repair and maintenance activities, following China.
Bener highlighted that Turkey's location in the Eastern Mediterranean basin and its proximity to the Suez Canal provide an advantage in ship repair and maintenance activities.
He also expressed that the closeness of the Tuzla and Yalova shipyard regions offers significant contributions to the sector.
Financing and competitive conditions were brought to the agenda.
During the shipbuilding session of the Yalova Economy Summit, the competitive conditions of Turkish shipyards in international markets, production costs, financing needs, and the position of the ship repair-maintenance sector were evaluated.
Şükrü Fazıl Uzun emphasized that Yalova shipyards, which hold an important position in the production of high-tech ships, are facing challenges due to rising costs and issues with access to financing.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
