According to the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), exports of ships, yachts and services increased by 78.6 percent annually from $327.6 million to $585 million in the January-March period. The increase rate was almost 80 percent.
During this period, Norway led the countries with the highest exports with $183.6 million, followed by Malta with $77.4 million, the United Kingdom and France with $68 million each, and the United Arab Emirates with $34.1 million.
The top 10 exporting countries also included the Marshall Islands, Panama, Tunisia, Greece and Singapore.
Cem Seven, President of Ship, Yacht and Services Exporters Association (GYHİB), stated in his statement on the sector's export performance in the first quarter that the increase in the January-March period was influenced by demand as well as the postponements of delivery schedules, explaining that some yachts and ships scheduled for delivery in December 2025 were postponed to January and February this year and that such situations may arise in the industry from time to time.
Seven said global ship and yacht exports reached $120 billion to $140 billion, China ranked first with $63 billion in exports in 2025, followed by South Korea with about $30 billion and Japan third.
Highlighting that these three countries account for more than half of global ship and yacht exports, Seven said: “Turkey is in 12th place with a volume of $1.9 billion to $2.2 billion. The exact ranking for 2025 is expected to be clarified in the summer months.” he said.
“Our craftsmanship and reliability are very important in their eyes”
Cem Seven stated that Denmark and Finland as well as Norway are among Turkey's main export countries, pointing out that France, the Netherlands and Malta are important markets.
Stating that mainly dry cargo vessels and tankers are exported to Malta, fishing vessels, ferries and tugs to Norway, Seven continued his words as follows:
“Factory ships and ferries exported to Norway always require high quality workmanship and high engineering skills. Alternative fuel products in particular are at the forefront of exports. Northern European countries place great emphasis on innovative projects.”
“Looking from Europe, it seems that we produce quality products”
Emphasizing that Türkiye has been the world champion in fishing vessel exports for many years, GYHİB President Seven said: “Let us underline this. Our biggest rival was the Spanish shipyards. The indicators suggest that Türkiye will be the world champion in fishing vessel exports this year too.” he said.
Seven talked about the reasons and advantages of factory fishing vessels and explained that quality is the priority in the production process of Turkish ship and yacht products.
Seven said: “From Europe we see that we produce quality products. First of all, our workmanship is very good,” he said.
Seven explained that Turkish companies had solved the problem through immediate measures: “Our ships and yachts are built according to international rules and shipbuilding standards. Northern European countries prefer Turkish shipyards because not only quality and sustainability, but also performance are better than other shipyards abroad.” gave his assessment.
“VAT exemption should remain”
Cem Seven explained that the green transformation process has increased demand in the industry in line with the International Maritime Organization's 2030 goals, pointing out that Turkish shipyards receive numerous orders from abroad, but due to rising labor costs, it may be difficult to meet all this demand from time to time.
Stating that there is a need for incentives that correspond to the dynamics of the sector, Seven said: “The VAT exemption, applied in particular to the construction of boats under 24 meters, must continue. The renewed extension of this exemption, which in the past applied without length restrictions, will contribute to the sector. The extension of the foreign exchange conversion support from 6 months to 24 months, corresponding to ship and yacht construction, will make shipyards more competitive.” he said.
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