Türkiye for the IMO Council 2026 - 2027 under Category "C"

      Surrounded by the Black Sea, the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, Türkiye has a strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Together with the Turkish Straits, one of the most strategically located choke points, Türkiye is a key transit hub for international trade routes.

      With a deep-rooted maritime tradition, Türkiye is involved in almost every facet of the maritime industry, from shipbuilding, ship repair, ship recycling and related sub-industries to ship and port operations, training of seafarers for the global industry, ship classification, marine insurance and maritime logistics. To ensure a sustainable maritime economy, Türkiye continuously invests in green transition and digitalization of her maritime industry.

      Türkiye’s 193 port facilities serve as regional and global transshipment hubs, supporting nearly 90% of her foreign trade by sea. Turkish-owned merchant fleet is ranked 11^th in the world with 52.7 million DWT. The Turkish flag has been on the White Lists of major PSC regimes such as Paris and Tokyo MoUs. As one of the leading seafaring nations, more than 140,000 highly qualified Turkish seafarers serve the global shipping sector.

      As a founding member of IMO, Türkiye’s commitment to the Organization is long-standing. Türkiye actively participates in the work of IMO by engaging in its committees and working groups, contributing expertise to key issues with a view to enhancing safety and security of shipping and prevention pf marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.

      Being party to the most of the IMO Conventions and Protocols, Türkiye effectively implements and enforces the provisions of the international maritime legislation.

      As an active and cooperative member of the Council since 1999, Türkiye advocates common interests of all Member States. Within the Council, Türkiye supports the initiatives to strengthen transparency, enhance multilingualism, empower women, and improve the GISIS system to achieve IMO’s goals and objectives.

      Having keen interest in international cooperation to ensure safe and sustainable maritime operations and to advance IMO’s goals without leaving any Member State behind, Türkiye shares her expertise and experience with the Member States through technical assistance, trainings and bilateral cooperation.