The bustling hallways of Europort Istanbul 2024 were filled with the hum of conversation and the clinking of coffee cups, as industry leaders from across the globe met to exchange ideas, foster partnerships, and explore trends shaping the maritime world. For many, the event highlighted Türkiye’s growing role as a key player in shipbuilding and maritime innovation, drawing attention to both global opportunities and local expertise.
Michalis Loupasakis, the Maritime Sales Director at Lalizas, described Europort as more than just a trade show—it felt like a reunion of old friends and an incubator for new collaborations. “This event giving us a great opportunity to meet old friends and partners from all over the world from the shipping industry as well as to meet new guys and friends that we can arrange business for the upcoming years,” he said, standing near his company’s vibrant booth. “It’s a great place to discover what’s next for the maritime industry.”
For Loupasakis, the event was also a way to gauge market trends. “It is a great opportunity as far as to see shipping companies, ship management companies and whatever kind of company from the maritime business you are looking for and discuss about the upcoming changes of the market and trends, show us the recent news,” he added.
Turkish Market at the Forefront
Türkiye’s growing maritime sector was a recurring theme among exhibitors. Jan Kees Pilaar, Managing Director of Rotterdam Ship Repair, highlighted how the Turkish market is evolving and expanding its reach into North-West Europe. “The Turkish maritime sector is improving and making its mark internationally,” Pilaar explained. "Rotterdam is a key port where Turkish vessels often stop, and we are ready to support them with repairs, maintenance, and refits."
Pilaar emphasized that his company’s bilingual staff, including a Turkish colleague, makes working with Turkish clients smoother. “Language barriers can be a challenge, but with our team, they feel more comfortable reaching out to us first,” he said, underscoring the importance of trust and communication in building international partnerships.
Innovations in Maritime Technology
Oscar de Groen, Manager of International Marine Sales at Kaeser Kompressoren, also recognized Türkiye’s growing importance in the maritime sector, particularly in the construction of smaller ships. “We all know that shipbuilding for the big merchant ships is in Far East like China, Korea and Japan. But let's say for the little bit more smaller ships, Türkiye is for us absolutely the focus for our activities. Especially in Europe, but also on a worldwide level for the smaller ships, Türkiye is a very important player for us.”
In his presentation, de Groen introduced integrated compressed air systems designed for shipyards, drawing attention to the compactness and efficiency of these units. “With the integrated units we can combine air compressor, air dryer and also a frequency control and an air receiver in one unit. That makes of course that the installation space and the footprint of the unit for the compressed air system will become extremely compact,” he explained. “That is a big benefit for the Turkish shipyards because they have less installation costs, less piping, that makes it all easier. On top of that, Kaeser is very well known for its energy efficient solutions.”
De Groen also addressed the maritime industry’s long-term sustainability goals: “The whole marine industry has to look for meeting the targets set by IMO in 2030 and in 2050. We need to be all carbon neutral and that is quite an objective and we would like to contribute also even with our small systems to meet these objectives.”
New Connections, New Possibilities
Ingrid Brooks, Office Manager of Nederlandse Radiateuren Fabriek (NRF), reflected on their first participation. “We manufacture box coolers to cool ship engines and are located in Mill, in the south of the Netherlands. It has been above expectation because this is the first time we exhibit we are being here in istanbul at the trade show and we like it very much,” Brooks explained.
Meeting with Turkish customers and potential prospects was a highlight for her. “We met our Turkish customers and we had some good meetings also met some potential prospects. So we are very satisfied.”
Similarly, Sercan Döyan, Domestic Sales Specialist at 2M Kablo, emphasized the event's benefits. “The exhibition met our expectations. We reconnected with existing clients and met new ones, especially from international markets,” he noted. Döyen added that the maritime sector presents new business opportunities for the company.
Where Global Connections Meet Local Charm
Trond Elstad, Sales Manager Offshore Energy & Aquaculture at Offshore and Trawl Supply (OTS) in Norway, praised both the event and the city of Istanbul. “The exhibition is really nice a lot of good conversations and the city is amazing!” Elstad said. He shared that despite the bustling crowds, he thoroughly enjoyed the city and even extended his stay by a day to discover its rich cultural landmarks, including the Blue Mosque.
Echoing a similarly positive sentiment, Åge Vindenes, General Manager of Sotra Anchor & Chain, expressed delight at the connections forged during the event. “We had a lot of new contacts and yeah we are satisfied,” he shared.
As Europort Istanbul 2024 drew to a close, the atmosphere was charged with optimism and possibility. Participants left with not only business cards but also new friendships and collaborative ideas that could shape the future of maritime innovation. With Türkiye solidifying its status as a central hub in the maritime industry, attendees recognized that the event was more than just a marketplace; it was a platform for exchanging insights and envisioning a sustainable future. Europort Istanbul was a testament to the vibrant potential of the maritime sector, where global connections meet local charm, ensuring a thriving industry for years to come.