Yalova, which increased its exports in the ship, yacht and services sector by 76.7% in 2023 compared to the previous year, ranked first among the provinces with the most exports in this field.
According to the compilation made by the AA correspondent from the records of the Turkish Exporters Assembly, Turkiye’s ship and yacht sector exports in 2023 increased by approximately 33.6% compared to 2022, reaching $1 billion 940 million 979 thousand from $1 billion 453 million 63 thousand.
Yalova increased its exports in the ship, yacht and services sector from $415 million 61 thousand to $733 million 323 thousand in 2023, an increase of 76.7% compared to the previous year. The province’s share in the sector’s total exports was 37.78%.
The foreign sales of Istanbul, the second city with the most exports in the sector, at $731 million 45 thousand in 2022, decreased by 2.7% to $711 million 271 thousand in 2023.
Last year, Izmir’s exports in the sector, which recorded a 101% increase compared to 2022, increased from $129 million 143 thousand to $260 million 215 thousand.
Bursa ranked 4th with a 68% increase and $97 million 621 thousand in 2023, and Kocaeli ranked 5th with a 51.9% increase and $59 million 168 thousand.
83% increase in exports to Norway, which ranks first
Last year, ships and yachts were exported to more than 130 markets.
In 2023, the most exports were made to Norway. Last year, exports to this country increased from $288 million 246 thousand to $527 million 339 thousand, an increase of 83% compared to 2022.
Ship and yacht exports to Malta, which follows this country with an increase of 210%, reached $215 million 54 thousand from $69 million 207 thousand.
Greece became the third country with the highest exports in the sector last year, with an increase of 347% and $156 million 447 thousand.
There was a record increase in ship and yacht exports to Canada in 2023. Exports of ships and yachts to Canada amounted to $6 million 354 thousand in the previous year, with an increase of 2124% and $141 million 337 thousand of exports in 2023.
Canada was followed by the Faroe Islands with a 122% increase and $122 million 559 thousand, Italy with a 124% increase and $121 million 328 thousand, and the Marshall Islands with a 39% increase and $106 million 598 thousand.
41 thousand 200 people work in the shipyards in Yalova
Sukru Fazil Uzun, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Yalova Altınova Shipyard Entrepreneurs Industry and Trade Inc., told the AA correspondent that although Yalova is the smallest province in Turkiye by surface area, it has a very important place in terms of industry.
Emphasizing that the shipbuilding industry has made a great contribution to Yalova, Uzun stated that the city’s exports of ships and yachts are well above the $733 million in records, and that the figure is around $1 billion, including the sales of companies headquartered in Istanbul and producing in the city.
Stating that around $900 million of ship maintenance and repair works were carried out in the shipyards in the Altinova region, Uzun said, “Therefore, the contribution of Yalova in terms of ship construction, repair and maintenance is around $1 billion 900 million. Repair and maintenance of 1100-1200 ships are carried out annually, and 45-50 new ships are built annually, and the most modern and technological ships in the world are built in Yalova and exported abroad. This is a source of pride for all of us and a source of pride for our country.”
Stating that 41 thousand 200 people are employed in the shipyards, Uzun stated that they expect this number to reach 60 thousand in a short time.
Source: AA / Prepared by Irem Yildiz