GISBIR Founder and the 4th President passed away
One of Turkish Shipbuilders’ Association (GISBIR) Founders and one of the doyens in the Turkish shipbuilding industry, Mr Yılmaz Karahanoglu, also the 4th President GISBIR passed away on the date 11 October 2014 in Istanbul.
GISBIR extends sincere condolences over the passing of Mr Yılmaz Karahanoglu and wishes his family much strength and fortitude.
Morocco Delegation pays a visit at GISBIR
Mr. Mohamed Marzagui, Head of Maritime Navigation Division of the Kingdom of Morocco visited Turkish Shipbuilders’ Association (GISBIR) Headquarters on 30.09.2014 with Mr Emrah Yaman (Phd.), Maritime Expert (International Relations) of the Ministry of Transport Maritime Affairs and Communications of Turkey.
GISBIR Board Treasurer Mr Orkun Ozek, Mr Suheyl Demirtas, the Secretary-General and Mr Ercan Ozokutucu, the Deputy Secretary-General welcomed the delegation and made a presentation regarding GISBIR, its history and the Turkish shipbuilding industry.
Mr. Mohamed Marzagui gave GISBIR representatives an informative briefing about the World Maritime Day Parallel Event, which will be held in Morocco from 27 to 29 October 2014 within the IMO – the International Maritime Organization’s World Maritime Day and the maritime & shipbuilding industry of Morocco.
Following the visit at GISBIR, the delegation was welcomed at Celiktrans Shipyard, GISBIR member, followed by a presentation about the activities of the shipyard.
Interview given by Mr Murat Kiran, President GISBIR was published in The Independent, the national newspaper in the United Kingdom.
Turkey Report, which was prepared by the World Folio and published and distributed with The Independent on 30 September 2014 highlighted the interview made with Mr Murat Kiran, President GISBIR. Full article and the advertisement of GISBIR are as follows:
Full speed ahead for shipbuilders
Turkey’s shipbuilding industry grew at more than three times the worldwide rate between 2002 and 2008, and is currently the world’s fifth largest for units of ships built. Moreover, small and versatile shipbuilders are helping Turkey maintain its leadership in the global shipbuilding industry, following the sector’s decline in 2009. According to Murat Kiran, President of the Turkish Shipbuilder’s Association (GISBIR), “In order to overcome the negative impact of the global economic crisis, we aim to create solutions that tackle overcapacity by building different types of vessels, not ordinary ones, taking market demand into consideration.” Dearsan Shipyard is one example of a small shipbuilder that strategically focuses on naval vessels because “almost all countries are dealing with piracy, drug smuggling, human trafficking; these are the main challenges of the navies now,” says Chairman Taner Akkaya.
“We could survive once we switched to building warships. The companies in the sector that invested in building naval ships and cruise yachts could survive.” Turkey, which ranks number one in small tonnage chemical and oil tanker building, also oversaw the creation of the award-winning Maltese Falcon, one of the largest privately owned sailing yachts in the world. In fact, the country is the third largest global supplier of mega-yachts, earning €300 million annually, says Mr Kiran. The quality of Turkish ships is high. Though the Far East can build ships cheaper, it cannot match Turkey in quality, according to GISBIR’s President. Turkey’s industry boasts authorised makers and classification societies such as Lloyd’s Register and Bureau Veritas.
Süheyl Demirtas, Secretary General of GISBIR, adds that major shipping companies like Maersk, Novoship Russia, Nasco Gem Marine and Euroland all have fleet agreements with member shipyards. “They send their audit teams and they analyze the shipyards, financially, technically and administratively as well as the occupational and safety considerations,” he says. “This shows that Turkish shipyards are accepted worldwide quality-wise and health and safety-wise.” Turkey is also favored because of its experienced, young and flexible workforce and proximity to Europe. Mr Demirtas adds, “Because of our relatively lower prices in comparison to the EU countries, repair and maintenance is also an important part of the sector. We give good prices.” He says contracts with the Ministry of Defense and SSM (Undersecretariat of Defense Industries) have been important to the industry’s buoyancy. These entities have put confidence in local shipbuilders, helping them grow. When the Ministry and SSM decided to employ Dearsan, “they took a great risk,” Mr Akkaya says, “because naval ship standards are very high”. However, his company had already laid the groundwork by investing heavily in certification and other necessary upgrades. His firm also employs many retired navy personnel. Furthermore, GISBIR supports Piri Reis University, one of Europe’s most important maritime universities, helping to make it possible to waive tuition and fees until graduation.
GISBIR Participates Naval Academy Command Academiz Year Opening Ceremony
Mr Murat Kiran, President Turkish Shipbuilders’ Association (GISBIR) and Mr Suheyl Demirtas, the Secretary-General GISBIR participated the 2014-2015Academic Year Opening Ceremony of the Turkish Naval Academy Command with the presence of Full Admiral Bulent Bostanoglu, the Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces on the date of 29.09.2014 in Istanbul.
Naval Academy Commander Rear Admiral Mesut Ozel paid a courtesy visit to the Turkish Shipbuilders’ Association (GISBIR) Headquarters on the date of 24.09.2014. Rear Admiral Mesut Ozel presented a shield to Mr. Suheyl Demirtas, the Secretary-General GISBIR.
Turkish Shipping Investment & Finance Conference will be held in Istanbul on the date of 21 October 2014 by Informa Maritime Events with the participation of expert speakers and delegates from the national and international maritime industry and having the Turkish Shipbuilders’ Association (GISBIR) as one of the supporting organizations. For detailed information and registration, you may visit the event’s official website http://www.informamaritimeevents.com/event/turkish-shipping-finance-conference
Turkish Shipbuilders’ Association (GISBIR) participated a meeting which was held on 17.09.2014 in Tuzla, Istanbul with the presence of a Danish Delegation.
Mr. Ercan Ozokutucu, the Deputy Secretary-General GISBIR and Ms. Sevnur Cakmak, the Head of External Relations GISBIR attended a meeting in the Anatolian Side Organized Industrial Zone in Tuzla, Istanbul with the participation of Mrs. Itir Oner Filippucci, Trade Manager at the Royal Danish Consulate General Trade Council, Mr. Yasin Kasa, Country Director at Viking Life-Saving Equipment and a Danish Delegation consisting of 30 maritime industry professionals.
Ms. Sevnur Cakmak, the Head of External Relations GISBIR, gave a briefing about GISBIR, the shipyards, projects and figures of the Turkish shipbuilding industry to the Danish Delegation, who had an interest in the industry. Following the briefing, Mr. Ercan Ozokutucu, the Deputy Secretary-General GISBIR answered the questions of the delegation.
Mr. Suheyl Demirtas, the Secretary-General Turkish Shipbuilders’ Association (GISBIR) and Mr. Ogun Abaci, Chief Administrative Officer, are participating the SMM Hamburg 2014, which is being held in Hamburg, Germany between the dates 9-12 September 2014.
The 3rd Black Sea Ports and Shipping 2014 was held on Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 September 2014 in Istanbul, Turkey with the support of the Turkish Shipbuilders’ Association (GISBIR).
The event which included technical site visit, 50 international displays, 30 international conference speakers and 300 international decision makers from companies such as Royal HaskoningDHV Turkey ELC Group, ICF International, DHL Global Forwarding, Liebherr, Hellenic Institute of Transport and Global Ports Holding provided valuable opportunity for companies in shipping and port industry.
Turkish Shipbuilders’ Association (GISBIR) President Mr. Murat KIRAN and the Secretary-General Mr. Suheyl DEMIRTAS participated the 241st Semester Commencement and Change of Flag Ceremony of the Turkish Naval Academy on the date of 31 August 2014. Following the Ceremony, GISBIR President Mr. Murat KIRAN and the Secretary-General Mr. Suheyl DEMIRTAS found the opportunity to meet Mr. Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN, the President of the Republic.
