Türkiye reports continued merchant-fleet growth

Verified facts

• The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure reported on 7 October that the Turkish-owned merchant fleet of 1,000 gross tons and above reached 2,262 vessels and 54.3 million deadweight tonnes as of 1 July 2026. This aggregate ownership statistic does not identify an available vessel, beneficial owner, flag, class, trading area, cargo suitability, charter position, crew, compliance status or commercial service.
• The Ministry’s maritime statistics portal publishes 2026 ship statistics, while its maritime directorate separately publishes periodic cargo statistics. Public aggregate datasets are relevant for monitoring the operating environment, but they do not validate a port call, berth, feeder connection, voyage sequence, terminal handling arrangement, container/equipment availability or performance for a named shipment.
• UNCTAD’s 2025 maritime review places fleet ownership, registration, freight, port, shipbuilding and regulatory changes in a global operating context and identifies Türkiye among the leading countries by fleet value of ownership. Global ranking and structural context do not establish a company’s fleet control, service quality, cost, regulatory compliance, insurance cover or ability to perform a particular transit or maritime leg.
• UNCTAD also notes that fleet transition, alternative-fuel investment and wider shipping conditions remain dynamic. A headline increase in capacity must therefore remain separate from route-specific decarbonisation, fuel, safety, security, sanctions, maintenance, classification, cargo, customs and commercial evidence.