21.01.2015 Ankara
Attending the TOBB Chambers of Maritime Trade Council Meeting, Minister for Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communication Lütfi Elvan brought two pieces of good news for the sector. Coasters at the end of their economic life cycle will be pulled from service for scrap with incentives; additionally the assurance problem in ship construction will be addressed by extending the Credit Guarantee Fund to it.
Minister Elvan spoke on the subject: “We’ve plans to decrease freight
costs paid to foreign ships and instead transfer the money to Turkish owned and
flagged ships.
First, we will renovate our aging coaster fleet similar to the practice
previously undertaken in regards to land transportation vehicles.
Secondly we will use the Credit Guarantee Fund to solve the problem of
warranty in regards to export-focused ship production as a product. To this
end, the Credit Guarantee Fund will provide additional 1 billion TRY warranty
option.”
- Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked Elvan
and Babacan
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked Minister Elvan and Deputy
Prime Minister Ali Babacan for their good news for the Turkish business
community and maritime sector. Expressing the importance they put on Lütfi
Elvan’s planning in regards to public-private sector cooperation,
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan has contributed
greatly to the process as well, “We all want a stronger economy, a stronger
Turkey.”
- Council meeting outcomes
The following was decided at the TOBB Chambers of Maritime Trade Council
Meeting:
“The preference for foreign colors instead of Turkish should be
prevented. The transport share of Turkish colored ships should be increased
while decreasing the deficit with surplus freight. Eximbank’s involvement in
port and ship construction as well as transportation should be increased.
Passenger transportation costs of liability insurance should be adjusted
according to sectors. Training ships should be introduced in order to support maritime
training. Cooperation with Maritime Chambers of Commerce is necessary in order
to preserve and maintain sustainability of our bays and shores.”