The opening ceremony featured a speech by Atilla Marangozoğlu, General Manager of Informa Markets, the event's organizer. Marangozoğlu emphasized the significance of bringing together the Turkish maritime sector and stated that the exhibition serves as a key platform for business collaboration and innovation. He highlighted the fair’s role in expanding the global reach of Türkiye’s shipbuilding and maritime supply industries, offering participants valuable business connections and insights into the latest industry advancements.
Following Marangozoğlu, Cem Seven, President of the Turkish Ship, Yacht, and Services Exporters' Association (GYHİB), addressed the audience. Seven noted the strong international presence at the exhibition, with over a thousand national and global brands and more than ten thousand expected visitors. He also shared data on Türkiye’s ship and yacht exports, which amounted to $1.91 billion in 2024, highlighting the country’s growing reputation in fishing vessel, tugboat, ferry, and offshore support vessel construction.
Tamer Kıran, President of the Turkish Chamber of Shipping, underscored the fair’s success in uniting the country’s maritime industry under a single platform. Reflecting on past efforts to streamline the maritime exhibition landscape in Türkiye, Kıran stated, "Ten years ago, there was an oversaturation of maritime fairs in Türkiye. Responding to industry demands, we consolidated this process, acquired naming rights, and awarded the organization through a ten-year tender, leading us to today’s success."
Kıran also noted that this year’s event reached a record in exhibition space and emphasized the strategic importance of shipbuilding, yacht construction, and the maritime supply industry. "The pandemic showed us that while the world came to a halt, the maritime sector continued. A strong shipbuilding industry is a testament to a nation’s industrial strength. Our sector produces high-quality, advanced technological products that compete globally," he said, wishing a successful and productive fair for all participants.
