The Lure Of The Turkish Shipbuilding Market SMM Istanbul 2011 Attracts Many Exhibitors From Asia And Europe
The recovery of world trade and the growing appeal of the shipbuilding markets in Turkey and neighbouring countries promise a “full house” for SMM Istanbul 2011. The organisers are Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH (HMC), which hosts SMM, the world’s leading shipbuilding fair, and the Turkish partner Goca Fuar Kongre ve Sergi Hizmetleri Ltd.Þti (Goca Exhibitions). They are expecting some 150 exhibitors from 30 nations at the second SMM Istanbul. That should make the modernised Lütfi Kirdar Convention & Exhibition Centre (ICEC) with the Rumeli Hall the first destination in the new year and the meeting point for the international shipbuilding industry from 26 to 28 January. The Turkish Ministry of Industry and Trade shows great interest in that, as the official supporter of SMM Istanbul.
Alongside numerous Turkish shipyards and maritime equipment suppliers, a number of leading exhibitors from Asia and Europe have booked their presentations at SMM Istanbul 2011. The tremendous interest of the Turkish maritime industry in SMM Istanbul is summarised by Metin Düzgit, Director of Düzgit Yalova Shipyard – “After the major losses in newbuilding business last year, SMM Istanbul 2011 gives great opportunities for the leading companies of the Turkish shipbuilding industry, at a location practically on our own doorstep.” These are opportunities that will definitely be taken by leading Turkish shipyards such as Düzgit Yalova Shipyard, Uzmar Shipyard, Çeliktrans Shipyard, and also by maritime equipment suppliers such as Yedi Deniz, ENKA, the outfitter Makpa Kristal, Ozkan Steel (the leading manufacturer of steel sections), Polar Marine, JRC, (a marine electronic specialist), and Mega Endüstri, an Ankara-based manufacturer of automation and control systems.
The good business prospects will also attract many maritime equipment suppliers from Europe and Asia to Istanbul. “Turkey is currently our most important export country, with plenty more potential for expansion,” says Mathias Pein, Managing Director of Piening Propeller, one of the leading German manufacturers of marine propellers and propulsion systems, based in Glückstadt on the Elbe. The company has been active in the Turkish market since the 1970s, and expects SMM Istanbul 2011 to “reinforce business relations even more.” One of the most important elements for Pein is contact with the SSM (Turkish Undersecretariat for Defence Industries), which gives full support to SMM Istanbul, on behalf of the Turkish Government, with strong commitment both at the exhibition and the conference. “We continue to see our best opportunities in navy and coastguard vessels, and in superyachts,” he said, “because that is where the demands are the highest.” At present Piening is supplying the “power package” for various newbuilding series for the Turkish navy and coastguard, comprising propellers, shaft systems, shaft struts and other components, up to the gearbox.
Mehdi Kılıç, Managing Director of Volvo Penta Turkey, describes SMM Istanbul as “the right address for the shipbuilding industry.” The company’s exhibits at the fair will feature the Volvo Penta IPS (Inboard Performance System), an integrated solution for commercial shipping and for maritime leisure activities. Good business prospects are also seen at SMM Istanbul 2011 by companies from France, Spain, Norway, Italy, Portugal, the US, Taiwan and Korea. A number of countries have announced national pavilions, including Denmark, Germany and Japan. The Japan Marine Equipment Association (JSMEA) will have a stand at SMM Istanbul with 11 Japanese companies.
A comprehensive overview of the Turkish shipbuilding industry and its international relations, and on the directions of future development, will be provided by the accompanying two-day conference at SMM Istanbul 2011, to be opened by Uğur Yiğit, Commander of the Turkish Navy, on the first day of the fair, 26 January 2011. Başaran Bayrak, President of the Turkish Ship and Yacht Exporters’ Association, will deal in his opening speech with the importance of the shipbuilding industry for Turkey, and present the thematic areas of the conference. The introductory keynote speech by Murad Bayar, Director of the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries, focuses on the contents of Session 1. There, under the general heading of “Our Future - Joint Forces Naval Shipbuilding and Private Shipbuilding”, speakers from the SSM and CEOs of major Turkish shipyards will present shipbuilding projects and engage in exchange of experience. Session 2 addresses more the technical aspects of design, requirements and operational areas of ships.
One of the eagerly awaited highlights for participants is Session 3 on “Green Shipping”, which starts the second day of the conference. Information is provided there by John Aitken, Secretary General of the Shipping Emissions Abatement & Trading (SEAaT) industry group, on the status of the international discussion on emissions reduction. Ceren Bylgyn Güney of the Technical University of Istanbul will discuss sustainable ballast water management. Other presentations will cover further environmental protection aspects such as Risk Management and Fire Protection. There is a special section at the conference dedicated to superyachts. A discussion of the current situation in the Turkish superyacht market and future developments in this sector will be held, with participation by managing directors and owners of mainly Turkish yacht builders, such as Necdet Salgür, General Manager of Proteksan, an Istanbul shipyard; Mike Burham of RMK Marine, an Australian builder; Sinan Özer, owner and CEO of Ege Yacht; and Sedat Ergün, General Manager of Dünya Yachts.
The supporting programme of SMM Istanbul 2011 includes other interesting events for visitors, such as the visit to a Turkish shipyard, panel discussions, and an international partnering event, in conjunction with the Istanbul Chamber of Industry and Enterprise Europe Network Istanbul.
