There has been enormous expansion in shipbuilding in the Tuzla area in recent years. In 1994 only six vessels were built there, but by 2007 the figure increased to nearly 80 vessels. These were delivered to shipowners worldwide. Turkish business practice is similar to that in the West, and the yards are competitive internationally, according to Istanbul-based Vidar Smines, business advisor at Ulstein International:

 

“There is a very high return on labour costs, making the country attractive for manufacturing industries. The country’s business and industry is characterized by moderate wages and high productivity. Whereas the quality of work is similar as that in Spain and Poland, the prices are lower. As with Norwegian yards, Turkish shipyards have become reknown for offering rather tailormade vessels, building up a strong position among shipowners in Northern and Western Europe,” says Smines.

 

A total of 385 vessels are currently contracted at Turkish yards, mainly product and chemical tankers, container vessels, dry cargo vessels, yachts and tugboats. About 80% of these vessels are for export and most of them are designed by Turkish designers.

“Leading players in the industry are currently investing heavily in increasing and improving capacity, and we believe the maritime cluster in Turkey will be among the leading in Europe. One indication of this is the order books of Turkish shipowners, totalling about 100 large vessels and a tonnage equal to the total order books of Norwegian shipowners,” says Smines.