SMM Istanbul to Highlight Developments in Turkish Shipping Industry

The Turkish Navy has ordered its largest ship to date: A Landing Platform Dock (LPD), a vessel designed to support amphibious assault operations, will be built by Sedef shipyard at Gebze, Istanbul. This ship type is characterised by a comparatively large cargo carrying capacity.

In addition to vehicle decks, LPD vessels have a well deck for landing craft as well as a helipad and a hangar for storing airborne equipment. According to the SSM, the newbuilding order also comprises four landing craft, 27 armoured personnel carriers, two landing boats, one commander boat and one rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHUB), in addition to the LPD itself. Sedef’s vessel design is based upon the LHD Juan Carlos built by the Spanish armaments manufacturer Navantia.

But the Turkish shipbuilding industry itself also harbours great innovation potential. For example, the world’s first two oceangoing tugboats operating on liquefied natural gas (LNG) were completed at the end of last year. Named “Borgøy” and “Bokn”, the two 38-metre power packs were assembled by Sanmar at a new shipyard in Tuzla, the capital of the Tuzla district in Istanbul province. The tugs were ordered by Buksér og Berging AS of Norway.

 Acclaimed experts

Both of these projects will be discussed in depth during the conference programme of SMM Istanbul 2014 which takes place on 26 and 27 February. This year, the industry fair will be held as a convention for the first time, an international conference with an accompanying industry fair. During the two-day event at Istanbul’s Green Park Pendik Hotel & Convention Center, acclaimed experts will look at the future prospects for the Turkish shipbuilding industry as well as other topics of vital interest to the global shipbuilding and supply industry.

Details on the LNG tugboats will be revealed by Sanmar on Wednesday, 26 February within the “Work Boat Executive Summit Istanbul” session, which will begin immediately after the official opening ceremony. During the same session, the Turkish Shipbuilders’ Association will also examine the regional demand situation and future resources for Turkish shipbuilders. Experts from the engine manufacturer Rolls Royce will discuss the general development of LNG technology. A presentation by Uzmar Shipyard on commercial fishing boats will be another highlight of this session. The third session of the first day, the “Turkish Megayacht Forum”, will be dedicated entirely to ultra-luxury vessels. Turkey takes third place in the global megayacht building market.

 Focus on the Turkish Navy

The second day of the convention will begin with a session highlighting the Turkish navy. Under the title “Turkish Maritime & Naval Summit”, Sedef Shipyard will present its LPD vessel in detail. Following a general overview of the national naval market, leading representatives of shipbuilders, associated industries and the Turkish Ministry of Defence will discuss current and future plans. Two additional sessions will complete the agenda for the second day: The “Ship Recycling & Ship Repair Summit Turkey” and the “Turkish Offshore Dialogue”. “Attendees will get first-hand information on current trends from top-level experts,” says Bernd Aufderheide, Chairman of the Board of Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH. SMM Istanbul will provide visitors with an exceptional opportunity to get a close-up view of recent developments in this growing market, Aufderheide adds.

[mappress]

Hamburg Messe, January 27, 2014