From Ottoman Shipyards to Global Giants: Türkiye’s Maritime Mastery Sails Into the Future
In the shadow of the Bosphorus, where East meets West and empires once set their sails, Türkiye’s story as a maritime nation began centuries ago. Ottoman shipyards in Istanbul’s Golden Horn were among the largest in the world in the 16th century, producing fleets that reached from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean. From wooden galleons to warships, these shipyards laid the foundation for a tradition of craftsmanship, resilience, and pride.
Fast forward to the 21st century, and that tradition has not just endured—it has transformed. Today, Türkiye is not only known for its history on the seas but also for its thriving shipbuilding and export industry, which has gained global recognition.
The Floating Drydock That Made Waves
The latest example? The largest floating drydock ever built in Türkiye, recently delivered across 13,500 nautical miles to General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego. Built by GEMAK Shipyard in Yalova, this engineering marvel can lift 35,000 tons and stretches over 250 meters in length.
It wasn’t just delivered—it conquered storms, 20-meter waves, and the long voyage across both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The fact that a U.S. defense contractor entrusted such a critical piece of infrastructure to Türkiye tells the story better than words: Turkish engineering talent is trusted at the highest levels.
A Nation of Builders and Innovators
This drydock is not an isolated success—it is part of a much bigger picture. Türkiye today ranks among the world’s top shipbuilders, producing:
Commercial vessels: tankers, ferries, offshore support ships.
Specialized craft: hybrid and zero-emission vessels, advanced tugboats.
Luxury yachts: Türkiye is a global leader in custom yacht construction, exporting vessels admired worldwide.
Behind it all is a skilled workforce—welders, craftsmen, engineers, and naval architects whose expertise blends centuries-old tradition with cutting-edge innovation. Turkish shipyards like Cemre, Tersan, Sefine, and Gemak are winning contracts across Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas.
Türkiye as a Hub for Trade and Export
Türkiye’s geography has always been its gift. Straddling the Mediterranean, Aegean, Black Sea, and connected to Asia through the Bosphorus, it is perfectly placed as a maritime crossroads. This advantage now extends into trade and export:
Türkiye is rapidly expanding its ship exports, making it an important supplier for NATO allies, European partners, and global shipping companies.
The industry supports tens of thousands of jobs and strengthens Türkiye’s broader export economy, which continues to break records each year.
With projects like the San Diego drydock, Türkiye demonstrates that it is no longer just a regional supplier, but a global contender in heavy industry and marine infrastructure.
Every shipment tells a story. When the floating drydock left Yalova and crossed oceans, it wasn’t only steel and machinery that arrived in San Diego—it was Türkiye’s reputation, carried proudly across the seas.
It said: Türkiye builds with quality. Türkiye delivers on time. Türkiye is a reliable partner.
And in a world where supply chains are fragile, that message matters more than ever.
TC-USA PAC’s Perspective
For Turkish Americans, this is a moment of pride. For the United States, it is proof of the strength of partnering with Türkiye. For the world, it is a reminder that the nation once known for its grand Ottoman fleets is today a modern maritime powerhouse, exporting not just ships but excellence.
As we look ahead, one thing is clear: from ancient shipyards to global drydocks, Türkiye’s mastery of the seas is both history and future.