New regulations on vessel construction and maintenance will be fully implemented on April 15, 2026, replacing the old framework.
The General Directorate of Shipyards and Coastal Structures of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure made an important reminder regarding the new regulation that governs the construction, modification, and maintenance-repair processes of ships and watercraft.
According to the announcement made to the sector with the letter dated April 8, 2026, and numbered 3542835, all provisions of the 'Regulation on the Construction, Modification, and Maintenance Repair of Ships and Watercraft,' published in the Official Gazette dated January 14, 2026, and numbered 33137, will come into effect on April 15, 2026.
The phased implementation process is coming to an end.
Some articles of the said regulation (Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, paragraph 27, and Articles 20 and 21) had already come into effect as of January 14, 2026.
With the activation of all remaining regulations on April 15, 2026, the regulation will be fully implemented.
The old regulation is being repealed.
With the entry into force of the new regulation, the old regulation published in the Official Gazette dated November 7, 2015, and numbered 29525 will be completely repealed.
With this change, technical qualifications, inspection processes, and certification principles in the sector will be carried out according to the new framework.
Warning to members to avoid 'disruptions.'
In the notification made by the authorized institution, it was emphasized that sector stakeholders and members must be promptly informed about the new regulation to avoid any disruptions in practice.
Since the regulation announced by the Chamber with the circular dated January 14, 2026, will now come into effect with all its articles, companies are expected to complete their preparations.
FIVE CRITICAL CHANGES HIGHLIGHTED
Authorization and permit processes are tightening. The permission processes from the administration for shipbuilding, modification, and maintenance-repair activities have been made clearer and mandatory.
Classification and technical inspection requirements have been expanded. For ships above certain tonnage and dimensions, classification societies and technical inspection mechanisms will be applied more comprehensively.
Maintenance and repair only at authorized facilities. Maintenance and repair operations of ships and watercraft must be carried out at authorized facilities that meet specified criteria.
Data reporting and digital tracking are coming. The obligations for data entry and reporting have been increased to strengthen the digital monitoring infrastructure for recording activities.
The chain of inspection and responsibility has been clarified. The duties, authorities, and responsibilities of shipyards, businesses, and relevant parties have been defined more clearly; inspections have been tightened.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
