The Turkish ship and yacht industry registered $1.5 billion (TL 70.48 billion) in exports in the first half of the year, and the sector leaders aim to catch a new record by the end of the year, according to a report on Sunday.
Mustafa Talha Pepe, chairperson of the Board of the Ship, Yacht and Services Exporters' Association (GYHIB), said the Turkish ship, yacht and services sector generated $1.5 billion in exports in the first six months of the year, adding that the industry aims to set a new record by reaching between $2.5 billion and $3 billion in exports by year-end.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Pepe said the increase in exports was largely driven by deliveries of fishing vessels, special-purpose ships and tugboats to Northern European countries, underscoring that the sector continues to strengthen its competitiveness in international markets.
"We reached $1.5 billion in exports in the first half of the year. By the end of this year, we aim to break a new record and achieve exports of between $2.5 billion and $3 billion," he said.
Pepe noted that much of the first-half performance stemmed from deliveries under contracts signed two to three years ago, adding that the country's shipbuilding industry has made significant progress in recent years.
